Hello All,I just wanted to alert you of a news story that is being covered
today.  It is tragic, and was preventable, but I fear may also have
repercussions for breastfeeding in the future.

Sharon

Tragedy as breastfeeding mother smothers baby after falling asleep on jet

By Daily Mail Reporter<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter>
Last updated at 4:00 PM on 01st December 2009

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 [image: The tragedy occurred on a United Airlines jet, which was diverted
to London's Heathrow airport]

The tragedy occurred on a Kuwait-bound United Airlines jet, which was
diverted to London's Heathrow

A mother accidentally smothered her baby daughter to death on a flight after
she fell asleep while breastfeeding.

The four-week-old girl was travelling with her Egyptian mother from
Washington DC to Kuwait when the tragedy occurred on November 24.

Crew on the United Airlines jet were alerted by the 29-year-old mother's
screams.

A doctor travelling on the plane tried unsuccessfully to revive the baby.

The plane, which was over the Atlantic at 33,000ft, was diverted to London's
Heathrow airport just before 10am, where police boarded.

The baby girl was rushed to Hillingdon Hospital, a spokesman told the Daily
Mail.

However she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10.35am.

Three days later a post-mortem was performed on her at the Great Ormond St
Hospital in London.

Police are still awaiting the results of that. In the meantime, the
spokesman said, the death is being treated as 'unexplained'.

No arrests have been made in the tragic incident.

A police source told The Sun: 'This appears to be a tragic accident. The
girl comes from a loving family.

'Her mum was going to Kuwait to show her to relatives.'
[image: A mother breastfeeds her baby (posed by model). Experts have
countered against breastfeeding a baby in bed, where mothers can fall asleep
- as the mother aboard the United flight did]

A mother breastfeeds her baby (posed by model). Experts have countered
against breastfeeding a baby in bed, where mothers can fall asleep - as the
mother aboard the United flight did

It is not known if the woman was travelling with anyone other than her
child.

Officers from Scotland Yard's Child Abuse Investigation Team are now dealing
with the incident.

The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers said: 'Sitting up in bed while
holding your baby is very dangerous, especially if you fall asleep.'
*The dos and don'ts of breastfeeding, according to the National Childbirth
Trust:**

Do try to support his back, shoulders and neck. He should be able to tilt
his head back easily. And he shouldn't have to reach out to feed.

Do make sure your baby gets a big mouthful of breast from underneath the
nipple.

Don't worry if your baby pauses while breast feeding. This is normal.

Do change position slightly once your baby is attached if you are
uncomfortable.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is 0300
100 0212.
*

In 2004,  Briton Lisa Briggs smothered her baby as they slept less than
three years after losing another child to a similar tragedy.

Miss Briggs, 23, fell asleep while feeding five-week-old Keitha and woke in
the morning to find her lifeless by her side.

Miss Briggs had lost her four-week-old daughter Cerese in identical
circumstances.

However the Royal College of Midwives said in 2006 there are some benefits
for breastfeeding mothers to share a bed with their babies, and a blanket
message advising them not to do it could be counter-productive.

Melanie Every, a regional manager for the Royal College, said: 'We know that
there are many, many cultures and many, many women who will continue to
share beds with their babies, even when they are advised not to do it.

'Now, knowing that, it's important to give them advice on the safest
possible way of doing it, rather than just saying don't do it.'

Babies can die of suffocation when their airways are obstructed by lying
against their mother - a phenomenon known as 'overlying'.

Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1232265/Breastfeeding-mum-smothers-baby-jet-falling-asleep.html#ixzz0YSU9KpQv


-- 
Sharon Craig Economides, LM, CPM, MMid, IBCLC

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