Accidental Smothering: Most fatal smothering is accidental.

Rarely, infants during the first

month of life, especially when premature may be smothered by the weight of the bed clothes
when they cover the nose and the mouth. Suffocation also occurs when the infant 3 months or
less, turns on its face and buries it in soft pillow or mattress, it is not necessary that the mouth
and nostrils should be completely closed at the start, for as obstruction increases and congestion
develops, saliva, mucus, oedema fluid, and traces of blood will pour out into te mouth and cause
obstruction to breathing. An epileptic or intoxicated person may smother himself accidentally by
burying his face in a pillow or covering with bed clothes.