Image source: Cradle Cincinnati
Local health leaders are raising awareness about an emerging trend: more infants in Hamilton County are dying in their sleep, many in preventable situations.
Hamilton County Public Health, the Cincinnati Health Department, and Cradle Cincinnati are urging parents and caregivers to rethink how and where their babies sleep. In 2024 alone, sleep-related deaths made up nearly a quarter (23%) of all infant deaths in Hamilton County, a concerning trend that highlights the continued need for safe sleep education and practices.
Nursing pillows are not for sleeping.
Nursing pillows, commonly used to adults while feeding from the bottle or the breast, are not safe for babies to sleep on. Yet, 27% of local sleep-related infant deaths last year involved a nursing pillow, an alarming statistic that signals the need for greater public education.
“We are losing too many infants while they are sleeping,” said Greg Kesterman, health commissioner for Hamilton County Public Health. “Together, we’ll use ongoing data to help inform new parents and develop solutions that improve the health of our children.”
“As the American Academy of Pediatrics has noted, nursing pillows and other soft sleep items can be dangerous for babies in Cincinnati and throughout Hamilton County,” adds Dr. Grant Mussman, health commissioner for the Cincinnati Health Department. “And because infant deaths involving these pillows are happening for both experienced and first-time parents, we’re learning that we need to more widely share the health risks as well as better sleep habits.”
Bed-sharing increases the risk of infant deaths.
The 2024 data also reveal a concerning trend in co-sleeping and adult bed use:
• 80% of local sleep-related deaths occurred on adult beds.
• 53% involved sleeping with an adult on a bed, sofa, or other surfaces.
• The highest risk age group: infants 1–3 months old, accounting for 73% of sleep-related deaths.
Although bed-sharing may feel natural or convenient, it’s not safe for the baby. Soft mattresses, blankets and even the close presence of adults can create suffocation hazards.
“Parents in our community know how hard it can be to practice safe sleep consistently — especially when you’re running on little sleep yourself,” says Lauren Everett, associate director for Cradle Cincinnati. “Everybody wants to do what’s best for their babies, and they shouldn’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s sharing trusted information, connecting them with resources like doulas or community health workers, or simply offering a helping hand, we all have a role to play in supporting families and promoting safe sleep.”
Every parent should know the ABCs of safe sleep.
Local health leaders emphasize the ABCs of safe sleep, a proven framework to prevent infant deaths:
A – Alone: Babies should sleep alone, not in a bed or on a couch with others.
B – Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
C – Crib: Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding.
There is support available for families in Hamilton County and Cincinnati.
Whether you’re a new parent or caring for your fourth child, safe sleep habits save babies’ lives. Hamilton County Public Health, Cradle Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Health Department offer resources, education and support to help every baby get the healthiest possible start.
For more information about infant safe sleep and to access resources, visit cradlecincinnati.org.
