Unsafe Sleep Practices Kill 36% of N.B. Infants

A concerning report from New Brunswick's child death review committee reveals that 36 percent of all infant deaths under two years old were associated with unsafe sleeping practices between January 1, 2020, and September 11, 2025. This figure is considered alarming, as many of these sleep-related incidents are preventable.

Examples of unsafe sleep environments include placing infants on their side or stomach, co-sleeping, using soft surfaces, and the presence of loose bedding, toys, or pillows. The committee reviewed 140 child deaths, finding 20 were directly or indirectly caused by unsafe sleep, with one infant being just six days old.

Misinformation, particularly on social media, is cited as a significant factor contributing to these high statistics. While co-sleeping is sometimes mistakenly promoted for bonding, health authorities strongly advise against it due to increased suffocation risks.

The report recommends that New Brunswick regional health authorities modify their discharge policies to ensure parents demonstrate safe sleep practices before leaving the hospital. The province's minister of social development has accepted these recommendations, and training for caregivers now includes safe sleep information.