Greensboro, NC -- The Women's Hospital of Greensboro and the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation (NCHSF) will partner to give Infant Safe Sleep Check List Posters to parents of every baby born in The Women's Hospital of Greensboro in October for National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. Each poster comes with a thermometer and has an attractive, but clear, safe sleep message "Stomach to Play, Back to Sleep." Placing a baby on his back to sleep for the first year of life is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS. The Infant Safe Sleep Check List Poster reminds parents and caregivers that babies should always be placed to sleep on their back, in a safe crib.
Although there are many causes of infant death across North Carolina, SIDS is one of the leading causes. In 2009, SIDS accounted for 98 deaths in children under 1 year of age. According to the NC State Center for Health Statistics in 2009 64 babies died in Guilford County (rate of 10.4 per 1,000 live births). In addition to SIDS deaths, many babies die from accidental suffocation and strangulation. These preventable deaths are often related to babies being placed in unsafe sleep spaces with excess bedding, on couches and parents sleeping with their babies, according to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The safest place for a baby to sleep is alone in a crib or bassinet close to their parent or caregiver.
NCHSF in collaboration with the NC Division of Public Health coordinates the NC Infant Safe Sleep campaign. Since 1994, the campaign has informed families, childcare providers, health and social service providers and policy makers about this leading cause of infant death and about steps they can take to help protect infants. To help teach parents about the safest ways for their baby to sleep, will send Infant Safe Sleep Check List Posters to The Women's Hospital of Greensboro for anticipated October births. A bilingual (Spanish/English) fact sheet with tips for safe sleep and additional educational materials will also be provided.
Safe sleep tips for new parents include:
- Put your baby on his/her back to sleep for naps and at night
- Use a firm mattress for baby's crib
- Keep pillows, comforters and soft blankets, stuffed animals and toys out of the crib
- Baby should sleep in his or her own crib
- Do not let anyone smoke near your baby
- Breastfeed your baby: as well as many other benefits, it can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%
- Keep baby and the room temperature comfortable (68°-75°F) - not too hot
Donna Wear, from Mother-Baby Unit, arranged for The Women's Hospital of Greensboro to receive the Infant Safe Sleep Check List Poster. "Although the causes of SIDS are still a mystery, there are ways that parents can reduce the risks and prevent other infant sleep related deaths. Hospital staff members are provided many opportunities to educate new parents and model safe sleep behaviors," says hospital person. "We are thrilled that new parents will leave The Women's Hospital of Greensboro with information to help their babies sleep safely once they get home. The Infant Safe Sleep Check List Poster helps not only reinforce the back to sleep message to the parents, but it gives them a tool to educate others. Where there is a baby, there is an opportunity to educate everyone about the importance ways to reduce the risk of SIDS. "
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation has been collaborating with hospitals across the state to distribute educating materials during SIDS Awareness month since 2007. The hospital initiative, called HOPES, has provided resources to more than 45 hospitals to evaluate and support their policies, practice and education regarding infant safe sleep. This year, more than 8,000 babies are expected to leave hospitals with the Infant Safe Sleep Check List Poster. For more information about baby's safe sleep visit www.NCHealthyStart.org or call 919-828-1819.
Women's Hospital of Greensboro