Infant Safe Sleep

Mile Bluff supports injury prevention through safe sleep practices and education

Mile Bluff Medical Center proudly partners with Cribs for Kids. The partnership focuses on helping every baby sleep safer. It includes initiatives to create and maintain safe sleep environments in the hopsital setting. It also involves providing resources and education for parents to promote safe sleep in the home.

The ABCs of Safe Sleep

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of an infant. It includes cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which are unexplained. It also includes situations in which the cause is determined to be accidental suffocation or strangulation. Practicing the ABCs of safe sleep can help prevent these type of incidents.

A - Alone
Babies should always be alone when sleeping. Do not share a bed or sleep on a couch with your infant. Babies should be kept in a crib, bassinet or Pack 'n Play, without anyone or anything that could make their breathing difficult.
B - Back
Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep. This helps to keep their airways open, reducing the risk of SUID and choking. Even babies with reflux who spit up a lot are safest sleeping on their backs.
C - Clean, Clear Crib
Babies should always be placed on a flat, firm surface when they sleep - day or night. Infants do not have the muscle strength or head control to adjust themselves when their airway is blocked. Never put your infant to sleep with pillows, blankets, bumper pads, toys, or clothing that could wrap around them (such as a hood). Sleep sacks are recommended.

Don't keep the ABCs to yourself
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), one in five infant deaths occurs when the baby is being cared for by someone other than a parent. In addition, a baby who normally sleep on his/her back, but is mistakenly placed to sleep on the tummy, is 18 times more likely to have a sleep-related death. Share this information about safe sleep with others who care for your infant and other babies!

If you are in need of a safe space for your infant to sleep, you can request a free safe sleep kit by filling out this form online, or by calling 608-847-9373 for more details. Kits include a portable Pack 'n Play crib, crib sheet and sleep sack. Pick-up locations are available throughout the county.
If you have an immediate need that isn't met by following the steps above, kits are available through Mile Bluff's birthing center 24/7.