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.