North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation (NCHSF) announces that it is giving away bibs to 14 non-profit organizations and health departments across the state, including Rowan County, to promote safe sleep practices.
Each bib has an attractive “ABC” safe sleep message: “I sleep safest Alone, on my Back, in my Crib.” The message reminds parents and others that placing a baby on his or her back to sleep for the first year of life is the most effective way to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“Each of the organizations selected are using the bibs to reinforce key infant safe sleep messages that can save a baby’s life. Bibs are a creative, yet practical way to reach family members, caregivers, house guests and babysitters who may not be aware that some infant deaths are preventable and often relate to babies being placed in unsafe sleep environments.” said Janice A. Freedman, executive director of the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation.
The organizations and health departments are in the following counties, in addition to Rowan: Alamance, Bladen, Durham, Edgecombe, Gaston, Guilford, Pitt, Wake and Wayne.
In 2012, the number of infant deaths attributed to SIDs was the lowest in the state’s history but the number of undetermined and/or preventable infant sleep-related deaths continues to grow. The reduction in SIDS deaths can be attributed to a combination of the adoption of infant safe sleep practices and more thorough investigations of unexpected infant deaths.
Safe sleep tips for new parents include:
• Put your baby on his/her back to sleep for naps and at night
• Use a firm mattress for baby’s crib
• Keep pillows, comforters and soft blankets, stuffed animals and toys out of the crib
• Baby should sleep in his or her own crib
• Do not let anyone smoke near your baby
• Breastfeed your baby, it reduces the risk of SIDS by 50 percent
• Keep baby and the room temperature comfortable — not too hot
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1990, conducts ongoing public education campaigns, advises state and local policy makers, and provides technical assistance and professional training focused on reducing infant death and illness and improving the health of women and young children in N.C.