Every week in Ohio, 3 babies die in unsafe sleep environments. Parents can reduce the risks of this tragedy by knowing and following the ABC’s of infant safe sleep. Babies should always sleep Alone, on their Back, in their Crib for every sleep. In addition to the ABCs of safe sleep the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expanded their guidelines to ensure that your baby is sleeping in a safe sleep environment that will reduce the risk of sleep related infant deaths such as Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUIDS) which include suffocation, asphyxia and entrapment. View the AAP’s additional safe sleep recommendations here: http://ohioaap.org/SafeSleep
If you are in need of a safe place for baby to sleep, you can obtain a cribette and gift bag at no cost to you. To be eligible for the program, mother must be at least 32 weeks pregnant or have a baby under 1 year of age. The caregiver must be WIC eligible and be the parent or legal guardian.
Take a virtual class to learn about keeping your baby safe and you will receive a free cribette and gift bag.
Please call 322-2099 to receive instructions. If you are enrolled in Help Me Grow, your home visitor can deliver it to your home.
You will receive:
Over 125 Sleep Related Deaths Occur Annually in Ohio
Sleep related deaths remain the leading cause
of post-neonatal mortality in Ohio, leading to the deaths of over 600 infants in the last 5 years. Unsafe sleep is the third highest cause of infant mortality in the state, and Black infants still die at rates more than double that of White babies. Sadly, across the nation we lose as many babies under 1 year to unsafe sleep as we do children birth to 20 that die in auto accidents.
You can make a difference!
We can reduce the number of infant deaths by working together! It is vital that pregnant women and new moms have support from those closest to them in their efforts to support safe sleep practices. Become familiar with the recommendations and talk to family, friends, caregivers about this information. If you want more information, a presentation for your group or specific education for your family members, contact the Health District’s Early Childhood office at (937) 322-2099. Your roll in sharing the information is so important.
(Pass it on– we’re in this together…)