Amanda Saucedo, a single mother from Lorain, Ohio, had always been a loving and devoted parent to her one-month-old son, Ben. The two shared a special bond, and she cherished every moment with him. However, her world was shattered one morning when she tragically discovered her baby’s lifeless body beside her in bed. The night had started like any other. She had fed Ben during the night, feeling the warmth of his tiny body as he nestled against her, before dozing off beside him. But when she awoke at 8 am, the sight that greeted her was one no parent should ever face: Ben was unresponsive, with blood around his mouth, his body cold and lifeless.
Desperate to save her son, Amanda attempted to revive him, but it was too late. Ben had passed away in the night, leaving Amanda in a state of shock, disbelief, and overwhelming grief. The cause of death was later determined to be positional asphyxiation, a tragic occurrence often associated with unsafe sleep practices. The doctors explained that this condition can arise when a baby’s airway becomes obstructed during sleep, but in Ben’s case, his airway wasn’t blocked. Amanda was left struggling to understand how this could have happened. She had always tried to be a responsible mother, but the circumstances of Ben’s death left her with countless questions.
The investigation into Ben’s death involved police questioning, which only added to Amanda’s emotional turmoil. She was asked whether she had been negligent or careless, something that made her feel even more guilty, even though there was no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing. Amanda could not understand how her baby had died in her arms while she had been trying to do everything right. The guilt she felt weighed heavily on her, and she was left battling feelings of confusion, self-blame, and loss. As she grappled with her grief, Amanda questioned if there was something she could have done differently, something that could have saved Ben’s life.
Despite the authorities clearing her of any wrongdoing, Amanda continued to wrestle with her emotions. She couldn’t escape the overwhelming feeling that, if only she had known more about safe sleep practices, Ben might still be alive. As she processed her pain, Amanda decided to turn her grief into a mission. She wanted to ensure that other parents never had to experience the heartache she had gone through. Amanda began speaking out about Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and the dangers of bed-sharing, especially for babies under one year old.
She became a passionate advocate for safer sleep habits for infants. Through social media and support groups, Amanda shared her story and began educating others on how crucial it is to follow safe sleep guidelines. She explained that the risks of bed-sharing—such as suffocation or overheating—could potentially lead to tragic outcomes, just as it had for her family. Though it brought her great sadness, Amanda felt a sense of responsibility to make sure that Ben’s death was not in vain.
In an effort to further spread her message, Amanda founded Benny Bears, a nonprofit organization named after her late son. The organization focuses on providing resources and education about infant sleep safety to new parents, caregivers, and families. Benny Bears provides pamphlets, online resources, and even baby sleepwear that promotes safe sleep practices, ensuring that babies are placed on their backs to sleep, on a firm surface, without any pillows, blankets, or soft toys that could pose a suffocation hazard.
Amanda’s journey from grief to advocacy has not been easy. Every day she struggles with the loss of her son, but her determination to make a difference has kept her going. She is driven by the belief that if she can save even one life, it would make Ben’s short life meaningful. She continues to share her story, no matter how painful, in the hopes that it will inspire others to make safer choices for their children.
Through her work with Benny Bears and her public speaking, Amanda has reached thousands of parents who were unaware of the risks of unsafe sleep practices. Her story has opened the eyes of many to the importance of creating a safe sleep environment for infants, and she hopes that by spreading awareness, she can prevent other parents from experiencing the heartache she has endured. She often says, “If I can save even one life by sharing my story, then Ben’s death will not have been in vain.”
Despite the ongoing pain she feels, Amanda’s voice has become a beacon of hope and education for others. She has connected with countless families who have been impacted by SUID or SIDS, offering support and understanding in a way only someone who has gone through such a tragedy can. Her compassion has touched the hearts of many, and her work continues to grow, reaching more and more people with every passing day.
Amanda’s commitment to raising awareness about safe sleep practices has made her an advocate for change in her community and beyond. She has spoken at local events, shared her story on social media, and worked with pediatricians and child health organizations to spread the word about the dangers of unsafe sleep environments. Though her own heartache will never fully heal, Amanda feels a sense of pride in knowing that she is making a difference.
As she continues her advocacy, Amanda also focuses on self-care, ensuring she is taking the time to heal emotionally and physically. It’s not an easy journey, but through her work and the love she feels from others, Amanda is slowly finding a new sense of purpose. She knows her mission is far from over, and she will keep speaking out for Ben, using his story to save others.
Ultimately, Amanda has found a sense of peace in her advocacy. While the pain of losing Ben will never completely fade, she knows that she is helping to create a safer world for babies, one where no other mother will have to endure what she went through. Through Benny Bears and her continued efforts, Amanda honors her son’s memory, ensuring that his life, though brief, has made a lasting impact.