October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.
SIDS, the sudden and unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age, impacts nearly 3,500 families in the United States each year.
Every loss is absolutely devastating.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many cases of SIDS are linked back to unsafe sleep practices. In these cases:
- 22% of parents reported not placing the baby on their back
- 39% of parents indicated soft bedding was used in the crib
- 61% of parents co-slept with the infant
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville, one of several SSM Health hospitals designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA Inc., utilizes safe sleep practices and educates on the topic.
“Our team is passionate about teaching safe sleep tips to help make a difference and keep infants safe,” said Kari Enke, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville Family Birth Suites Director.
The following safe sleep practices should be followed:
- Always place an infant on their back to sleep
- Use a firm, flat mattress in a safe crib or bassinet
- Do not use fluffy bedding – a crib mattress should only be covered by a fitted sheet
- Keep the infant’s sleep area clear of items like blankets, pillows and soft toys
- Have the baby’s safe sleep area set up nearby, for at least the first six months of life, for visibility and easier access to address needs
To learn more about safe sleep, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/safesleep/ . For more information on maternity care at SSM Health, please visit https://www.ssmhealth.com/maternity.
