B, an eleven week old infant - Non-inquest findings

0y · Female·Sudden infant death syndrome or asphyxiation due to co-sleeping or overlaying

An 11-week-old infant died while co-sleeping with her mother in a bed shared with siblings. The mother had smoked cannabis before sleep and was found overlaying the infant at 3:30am; the baby was discovered head-down beside the bed at 6:30am. Autopsy could not conclusively determine cause of death but indicated probable SIDS or asphyxiation from co-sleeping/overlay. Clinical lessons include: recognising SIDS risk factors (co-sleeping, parental substance use); adequate child protection assessment addressing totality of risks; collaborative practice between child protection and health services; and counselling families on safe sleep practices. The case highlights failures to sufficiently weight co-sleeping and substance abuse risks in safety planning.