Parents are being warned not to use car seats, bouncers, strollers or infant carriers as long-term sleep spaces following the tragic death of an 11 week old baby.

According to US news reports, baby Shepart Dodd was put to sleep in an unbuckled car seat and placed on the floor in a home day care centre. 

He was left unsupervised until a day care operator checked him at least two hours later, where she found him blue.

Local news channel KFOR says Shepard was rushed to the hospital, where parents Ali and Derek Dodd met him, but it was already too late.

“I was able to kiss him on the forehead as they wheeled him in,” Derek said. “He was cold. So I knew it was coming.”

Shepard’s death was the result of positional asphyxiation.

Although babies spend significant amounts of time in areas such as car seats, bouncers and strollers, they are not deemed safe places for babies to sleep for extended periods of time. 

If they do fall asleep in any of the above devices, they should never be left unsupervised. Ideally babies should sleep on a flat surface.

The day care’s license has been revoked.

Derek and Ali Dodd plan to lobby for change and safer infant sleep standards statewide.

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