SIDS Awareness Month

 

Each and every day, 13 babies will be lost to SIDS and other sudden, unexpected infant deaths; more than 70 new parents will have listened sadly their stillborn baby’s silence; and countless lives will be lost to miscarriage and other causes of infant death.

Reducing the Risk

• Always place babies on their backs to sleep for every sleep.
• Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
• Have the baby share your room, not your bed. Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
• Keep soft objects such as pillows and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.
• Prevent exposure to smoking during pregnancy and after birth because these are important risk factors for SIDS. The risk of SIDS is even stronger when a baby shares a bed with a smoker. To reduce risk, do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.

Also each and every day across America, expectant moms will feel their baby’s first kick; parents will listen to their newborn’s first cry; and families will celebrate the birthday of a healthy baby.

Below are links to learn more about SIDS and how to prevent it

CDC SIDS Awareness    First Candle

Keep your Babies SAFE!!

Congratulations on the arrival of your newly born baby. As new parents you have a lot of things to do, but keeping the baby safe should be your top priority. 

Learning about a few safety tips at each stage of your baby’s development is a great way to ensure that your baby will grow up curious, active, and safe! Here are some tips to keep your baby safe to avoid serious injuries that can lead to disabilities, learning defects, and even death:

• Make your home and play area safe by removing things that can choke, suffocate, or strangled your baby.
• Make meal time fun and safe. Do not feed your baby while they’re lying down or playing.
• Cut food for toddlers into tiny pieces.
• Ensure adult supervision when eating or playing
• Purchase toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and development.
• Keep small objects such as buttons, beads, jewelry, pins, nails, marbles, coins, stones and tacks out of reach and sight.
• Lay your infant on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Put all medicines out of reach and out of sight of children.
• Taking CPR class is very important for parents and caregivers.

For more information on baby safety, visit Safe Kids Website!