The SAFEST way for your baby to SLEEP…

Learn More About the Alabama Collaborative on Safe Sleep

The SAFEST way for your baby to SLEEP…

Learn More About the Alabama Collaborative on Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep: ABC’s of Sleeping Babies

What is the safest way for your baby to sleep? Babies sleep safest when… they sleep alone on their back in an uncluttered crib or other safe sleep surface. Follow these simple “ABC’s of Sleeping Babies” for guidance:

We, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that the baby should sleep in the same room as the parents, but not in the same bed (room-sharing without bed-sharing).

Unless otherwise instructed by a pediatrician, an infant should always sleep on his or her back.

An infant sleeping on his or her side or stomach faces increased risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Infants should sleep without the aid of wedges and cushions.

Railings should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart – tight enough that a soda can will not fit through them. The mattress should be firm and covered with a tight, fitted sheet.

Keep your baby’s crib clutter-free – no quilts, duvets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, etc. Waterbeds, futons, recliners and sofas are not acceptable substitutes for a crib.

Alabama Cribs for Kids

Alabama has partnered with the national Cribs for Kids Program and is dedicated to “Helping every baby sleep safer.” Funding from the federal Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant has allowed Alabama to purchase a limited number of play yards for families who meet qualifications and need a safe sleep environment for their infants under one year of age. Cribs are provided through referrals from partnering agencies. The referral form as well as the other required forms are below.

Forms that are required to be completed and returned by the referring agency:

Visit Cribs for Kids for additional information on the program.

We are excited to share this video for grandparents and other trusted caregivers from the Safe to Sleep campaign.

Safe Sleep Videos

For more information on preventing infant sleep-related deaths, please view the following sites: CDC-Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Updated 2016 AAP Recommendations, The Consumer Product Safety Commission and First Candle.

Resources

Alabama Collaborative on Safe Sleep

The Collaborative has produced a Position Statement providing valuable information about safe sleep issues and contact information for resources. The Collaborative has also developed a Step-by-Step Blueprint for the use of healthcare providers who are working to make the sleep environments in their facilities safer for infants.

Baby Box Initiative

The Alabama Department of Human Resources is the lead agency offering baby boxes to expecting and new parents in the state. The goal of the Baby Box program is to provide parents the education and resources needed to ensure a safe sleep environment for their infants.

For more information contact Julie Smith of the Department of Human Resources at [email protected] or 334-353-3153.

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