Covington, Ga. (Oct. 27, 2020) – October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and Piedmont Newton Hospital is encouraging families to become informed about safe infant sleep and help prevent infant sleep-related deaths.
“Georgia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country,” said Missy Braden, First Steps coordinator at Piedmont Newton Hospital. “Although infant sleep-related deaths occur suddenly, parents and caregivers can reduce the risk of these tragic deaths by creating a safe sleep environment for their baby.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caregivers follow the ABCs of safe sleep:
Alone: Babies should sleep alone in their own sleep space, close to but separate from their caregiver.
Back: Babies should be placed on their back to sleep. Every nap. Every sleep. Every time.
Crib: Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface with no extra things such as crib bumpers, blankets or toys.
“We make sure staff and parents are educated about the importance of safe infant sleeping,” said Braden. “It is important that parents learn these practices while they are in the hospital so that they will establish safe practices when they are at home.”
Parents and caregivers who want more information, including pictures of what safe sleeping environments look like, can visit safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov.
“We want all parents and caregivers to know how to create a safe sleep environment for babies,” said Braden. “I am always happy to speak with anyone that has questions or needs guidance on how to create a safe space for their baby to sleep.”
This month, the National Institutes of Health Safe to Sleep program is helping promote safe sleep by encouraging parents and caregivers to post a photo of their baby in a safe sleep area using the hashtag #SafeSleepSnap. More information can be found on the website listed above.
For more information on maternity services at Piedmont Newton Hospital, visit www.piedmont.org. To speak with Missy Braden about safe sleep or other services provided through First Steps, please call 770-385-4396.