Press Release: Anderson County Mother Advocates for Safe Sleep Practices After Losing Infant
Anderson County, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A mother from Anderson County, Tiffany Wilson, is courageously sharing her heartbreaking experience after the tragic death of her infant daughter, Karley, due to unsafe sleep practices. Every year in the U.S., approximately 3,500 infants succumb to similar tragedies, a fact Wilson wishes to shed light on as she reflects on her own loss.
Remembering the joy of Karley’s birth and the cherished memories of her daughter’s four months of life, Wilson describes how the loss still profoundly affects her. “I never thought my baby could die from unsafe sleep habits,” she stated, recalling the early days when she co-slept with her children. "I was awakened by cries, and it was horrible."
The alarming rise in infant deaths attributed to unsafe sleep has been highlighted by Dr. Deadra Clark, a pediatrician at Anmed Health. In Anderson County alone, there have been three such fatalities since March, and statewide, six children die each month from unsafe sleep practices, equivalent to three classrooms of kindergarteners lost each year.
Wilson emphasizes the critical nature of sleep safety, warning other parents that standing beliefs about co-sleeping being harmless may be misleading. “You may not roll over the baby, but they can move and get into positions that obstruct their breathing,” she explained.
To combat this crisis, health initiatives like the "Clear the Crib Challenge" are being launched to educate caregivers on creating safe sleep environments. Guidelines for safe sleep include placing infants alone in their cribs on their backs without any objects that might cause suffocation.
As Wilson helps others navigate their grief and advocate for safer practices, she hopes her story encourages more awareness around this urgent issue, stressing that the pain of losing Karley will stay with her. “I can help other people and guide them, but that is one thing that just really doesn’t go away.”
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