Published: Sept. 27, 2013
September is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month and to recognize this important observance, Sparrow and Tomorrow's Child of Michigan is reminding parents and caregivers of techniques that can help to substantially reduce the infant death rate in Michigan.
In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics, follow these basic infant safe sleep recommendations to protect babies from suffocation or accidents during nightly sleep and naps:
- Infants should be placed to sleep on their backs.
- Use a firm sleep surface and firm mattress covered only with a fitted sheet.
- Remove soft objects and loose bedding from the crib (no pillows, quilts, comforters, stuffed toys, bumper pads, or other soft objects).
- Do not share a bed with your baby.
- Avoid allowing your baby to become overheated.
- Encourage "tummy time" (by placing babies on their tummies); it's important to practice supervised tummy time while your baby is awake to build strong neck and shoulder muscles.
- Make sure everyone caring for your baby knows these guidelines, including babysitters, friends, and family members.
To help keep babies safe, Sparrow has partnered with Tomorrow's Child and distributes safe sleep education materials along with sleep sacks for babies to take home.
For more than a century, Sparrow has been a leader in caring for children. The first hospital in mid-Michigan to offer a dedicated children's unit, Sparrow today is home to the region's only full-service pediatric emergency department. As the region's Children's Miracle Network Hospital, Sparrow is able to provide the most advanced technology and treatment options in pediatric and neonatal care.