Can a swaddle covering a baby's face cause brain damage?

Question

Hello doctor,

When my son was about three weeks old, I woke up to see that his swaddle had come undone and was resting over his face. When I picked him up he was beat red in the face and sleeping. It took him a little to wake up but was fine when he did. I did not check for breathing at that exact moment because I was so anxious to wake him. I am very worried I may have caused him brain damage. Can a baby get brain damage from this kind of incident? I feel misinformed and uneducated on this topic. Like how it occurs and when it occurs. Also, how do you know if it had occurred? Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If the child has reduced oxygen supply due to such an incident, it may lead to brain damage which will be manifested in a day or two post this incident as a convulsion. That is how you will come to know that this kind of event has taken place. When a baby rests over his face, the nose and mouth may become blocked which will lead to air hunger which causes hypoxia which may cause damage to the brain.