Breastfeeding Baby Dies During United Airlines Flight

December 1, 2009 by Cathy Ribble
Filed under: News

A 4-week-old baby girl was smothered when her mother fell asleep while breastfeeding the infant.

The 29-year old Egyptian-born mother was nursing her baby during a United Airlines flight from Washington, D.C. to Kuwait. The mother woke up after an hour to find the baby was not breathing. The cabin crew was immediately alerted as the mom began screaming from her business class seat.

The jet was over the Atlantic Ocean flying at 33,000 feet, and it was diverted to London’s Heathrow for an immediate landing. Meanwhile, a doctor onboard the flight tried in vain to resuscitate the baby girl.

When the plane landed, police immediately boarded the jet. Scotland Yard’s Child Abuse Investigation Team officers are investigating the American baby’s death.

“This appears to be a tragic accident. The girl comes from a loving family. Her mom was going to Kuwait to show her to relatives,” according to police sources.

Breastfeeding support and education organizations warn of the dangers of sitting up in bed while holding your baby because of the danger of falling asleep. The physical demands of caring for a newborn baby are exhausting for both mom and dad, as well as any supporting family members. While most parents take every precaution to avoid falling asleep while holding a newborn, many parents will reluctantly admit to at least dozing on occasion while trying to comfort and soothe a tiny baby’s cry.

The loss of a child in any circumstance is very tragic, and the family’s grief and pain is almost beyond description. I do not believe you ever get “over” the death of child, but somehow you “get through.”

There are numerous resources for grieving families, some of which have been listed below. If you are grieving the death of a child, that pain can be especially intense during the holiday season. I urge you to lean on your family, friends and spiritual counselors to help you during this time.

GriefShare.org

CompassionateFriends.org

FirstCandle.org When A Baby Has Died

SIDSCenter.org