Carson City, NV October 01, 2018
The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) announces the launch of Safe Sleep Awareness Month on October 1, 2018. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/sids/aboutsuidandsids.htm), about 3,500 US infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year, most while the infant is sleeping in an unsafe sleep environment.
Safe Sleep practices include placing a baby to sleep ALONE, on their BACK, and in a CRIB- at all times, no exceptions. Skin to skin contact is recommended for all babies and bonding is very important. Infants who are brought into bed for feeding or comforting should be returned to their own crib when the baby falls asleep or caregiver is ready to return to sleep. Keeping the baby’s crib in your room is recommended for the first six months, preferably until the baby turns one. Blankets, pillows and other soft items should not be in the baby’s crib. Safe Sleep for babies includes a smoke-free environment and breastfeeding.
ALONE: Do not sleep with a baby ever. Do not share sleeping spaces – even with siblings.
On BACK: Placing a baby to sleep on their back greatly reduces infant deaths.
In a CRIB: Use a firm crib mattress covered by a tight-fitted sheet. Do not put baby to sleep on an adult bed or couch.
A collaborative effort to reduce the infant mortality rate in Nevada by promoting Safe Sleep practices is comprised of DPBH, Carson City Health and Human Services (http://gethealthycarsoncity.org), Southern Nevada Health District (http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org), and Washoe County Health District (https://www.washoecounty.us/health/), along with local media outlets helping to spread the message. In addition, many direct service providers convey Safe Sleep messages to parents every day.
Infant death due to an unsafe sleep environment is preventable. Infant deaths involving unsafe sleep conditions can occur when the baby is in the care of someone other than parents; we ALL need to be educated about Safe Sleep.
For more information on Safe Sleep practices or about the Maternal and Child Health Program, please contact Christina Turner, Maternal and Infant Health Coordinator at christinaturner@health.nv.gov or by calling (775) 684-4285. For more information about the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, please go to: http://health.nv.gov.