Ellie Alderman, a new mother from the UK, faced an unimaginable loss when her seven-week-old son, James “Jimmy” Alderman, died from suffocation during “hands-free” breastfeeding while carried in a sling. Although Ellie ensured that Jimmy’s face was visible and the sling was snug but not too tight, his positioning restricted his airway, leading to a fatal lack of oxygen.
Jimmy became unresponsive just minutes into feeding and passed away three days later. The heartbreaking incident triggered urgent warnings from the National Childbirth Trust and the Lullaby Trust. Senior Coroner Lydia Brown highlighted the lack of clear, accessible guidance on safe breastfeeding positions for babies in carriers, noting no adequate information existed for parents.
The coroner’s report confirmed Jimmy’s death was caused by hypoxic brain injury due to accidental suffocation. The Alderman family has since advocated for increased awareness and safety changes, raising thousands of dollars through “Jimmy’s Cuddle” campaigns to support hospitals and parents.
