Overlaying
Encyclopedia
Overlaying is the act of smothering a child to death by rolling over them in sleep.
Overlaying was perceived to be one common way of conducting infanticide
in Victorian England
. Many wet nurse
s were accused of this, and in many counties the wet nurse would have to provide a crib out of her own money to ensure that she would not sleep with the child.
In researching smothering deaths by black slaves
in the American South, which occurred nine times more frequently than in white families, Michael P. Johnson suggests that sudden infant death syndrome
was in fact to blame (which, if it happened in white families, would be heavily underreported because of the social stigma attached).
Overlaying was perceived to be one common way of conducting infanticide
Infanticide
Infanticide or infant homicide is the killing of a human infant. Neonaticide, a killing within 24 hours of a baby's birth, is most commonly done by the mother.In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible...
in Victorian England
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. Many wet nurse
Wet nurse
A wet nurse is a woman who is used to breast feed and care for another's child. Wet nurses are used when the mother is unable or chooses not to nurse the child herself. Wet-nursed children may be known as "milk-siblings", and in some cultures the families are linked by a special relationship of...
s were accused of this, and in many counties the wet nurse would have to provide a crib out of her own money to ensure that she would not sleep with the child.
In researching smothering deaths by black slaves
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
in the American South, which occurred nine times more frequently than in white families, Michael P. Johnson suggests that sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by medical history, and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. An infant is at the highest risk for SIDS during sleep, which is why it is sometimes...
was in fact to blame (which, if it happened in white families, would be heavily underreported because of the social stigma attached).