Rowan Regional Medical Center and the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation have partnered to donate baby garments and other material highlighting the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) during October.

The Women's & Children's Center at Rowan Regional is distributing onesies (baby garments) and educational materials to every baby born at the medical center in observance of National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month.

"We are very pleased that new parents will leave Rowan Regional Medical Center with valuable information to help their babies sleep safely once they get home and hope they share this information with their grandparents, babysitters and others who will care for them," said Michael Burton, Rowan Regional's director of public relations and marketing.

A bilingual fact sheet in English and Spanish is also provided to the parents.

Each onesie has an attractive, clear, safe, help message titled "Stomach to Play, Back to Sleep, For Baby's Safe Sleep," and the educational material gives tips to new parents on practicing safe sleep habits with their newborns. The tips include:

- Always place healthy babies on their backs for nighttime sleep and naps.

- Use a sleep place like a crib, bassinet or playpen designed for babies — do not sleep with the baby in your own bed.

- Never put your sleeping baby on pillows, cushions, sofas or loose bedding.

- Keep excess bedding, toys, stuffed animals and pillows out of the crib while the baby sleeps.

- Do not cover the crib or your baby's face with blankets.

- Don't allow older siblings to sleep with your baby.

For more information on SIDS, log onto www. nchealthystart.org.

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