Infant Safe Sleep
Mile Bluff Medical Center proudly partners with Cribs for Kids. This partnership focuses on helping every baby sleep safer with initiatives to create and maintain safe sleep environments in both the hospital and home settings, while providing resources and education for parents to promote safe sleep.
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 and 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. Infants who normally sleep on their backs, but are mistakenly
placed on their tummies to sleep, are 18 times more likely to have a sleep-related death.
Please share this information about safe sleep with others who care for
your infant and other babies!
FREE Safe Sleep Kit
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.
Safe Sleep Resources
Videos
5 safe sleep essentials for your baby (AAP)
Safe sleep for your baby: Every nap & every night (AAP)
Safe sleep for your baby (NICHD)
Handouts/visuals
What does a safe sleep environment look like? (NICHD)
Sleep routine for baby = peace of mind for you (AAP)
