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Safe Sleep

White River Medical Center is a part of the Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Hospital© program.

Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep© is an educational program using healthcare professionals to educate new parents on the techniques for safe sleep. Extensive research has resulted in recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issuing updated recommendation for parents on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and infant sleep safety.

This program allows us to provide a Sleep Sack (wearable blanket) to every newborn and Pack n Play® portable cribs to families who do not have a safe bed for their newborn. Safe sleep practices reduce SIDS risk. 

The program was established with an initial gift from The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation. The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation was established in loving memory of Taylor with a goal of increasing awareness of, and research into the cause of Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood incidents. In addition to supporting the SUDC Program, goals of the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation include supporting families who are living through similar tragedies and helping to provide healthy, physical activities for children. Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the sudden and unexpected death of a child over the age of twelve months, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted.

What is infant safe sleep?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year of age. This is what you can do to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.

To Create a Safe Sleep Environment

  • Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet; a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended.
  • Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
  • Keep your baby's sleep area in the same room where you sleep. Room sharing not bed sharing. Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep
  • Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
  • Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of your baby's sleep area.
  • Wedges and positioners should not be used.
  • Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
  • Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
  • Breastfeed your baby.
  • Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS after breastfeeding is established.
  • Supervised Skin to Skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return baby to bassinet.
  • Follow health care provider guidance on your baby's vaccines and regular health checkups.
  • For additional information and education on safe sleep please visit: https://www.safesleepacademy.org/

Resources for Parents