Mom Wakes to Noise From Baby’s Crib—Quickly Realizes Something’s Very Wrong

A mother's swift response to her baby daughter's struggle to breathe may have averted a fatal tragedy. Casey Clute, a 34-year-old resident of upstate New York, captured on video footage using a Nest bedroom camera the harrowing moment her 4-month-old daughter, Madilyn, began choking after spitting up in her sleep. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. and left Casey, who was the only adult present, feeling uncertain whether the noise she heard was her baby or her imagination.

With her husband, Joshua, working at the time, Casey acted immediately upon hearing Madilyn gasping for air. She swiftly pulled the infant by her armpit and, drawing on her recent CPR training, placed Madilyn on her chest face-down, patting her back to dislodge the spit-up. After Madilyn resumed normal breathing, Casey conducted a thorough examination of the sleeping area, noticing her toddler had inadvertently placed two stuffed animals in the bassinet—a common suffocation hazard.

A 2019 study in Pediatrics found soft bedding alone accounted for 69% of the suffocation cases studied. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface, free from pillows, blankets, and other soft objects. Though the immediate danger had passed, Casey's anxiety persisted, emphasizing the fragility of such situations.

This experience has prompted Casey to keep Madilyn in their bedroom for the foreseeable future, ensuring she remains in close proximity during sleep.