New Braunfels hospital brings awareness to infant suffocation, strangulation

SAN ANTONIO – Health professionals at Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels are bringing awareness to suffocation and strangulation among infants.

In hopes of reducing tragedies involving infants, Baptist Health System hospitals have incorporated safe sleep practices and education on infant safe sleep into hospital practices.

Health officials recommend properly learning about sleep sacks.

"These newborns just don't have the neck muscle, so if you lay them on their stomach face down, they can suffocate themselves," Michelle Meza, director of the neonatal intensive care unit, said.

Meza said patient education includes a review of safe sleep practices during the newborn's stay.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were about 3,700 sudden unexpected infant deaths in the U.S. in 2015.

The three commonly reported types of SUID include sudden infant death syndrome, unknown cause and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.