Safe sleeping habits for babies continues to be a significant issue in the United States (U.S.). In 2015 about 3,700 babies died because of sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID). SUIDs occur when a child dies suddenly in the first year of life and no cause is identified or it is related to suffocation and strangulation in bed. Deaths due to suffocation or strangulation likely occur as a result of bed sharing.
There has been much debate about bed sharing and some parents continue this practice despite recommendations against it. Black infants have the second highest SUID rate and the highest infant mortality rate in the U.S. The most recent data shows that 11 black infants die per 1,000 live births in the first year of life.
The overall U.S. infant mortality rate is 5.8 per 1,000 live births, which is one of the highest rates compared to other industrialized countries. However a tradition in Finland since the 1930s might be the answer to this problem. Have you heard about cardboard baby boxes? These boxes just might be the new baby bassinets.