ABC’s of Safe Sleep for Infants
Safe sleeping environments can help to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other sleep-related causes of death in infants. SIDS is the leading cause of death between children ages one month to one year. Unsafe sleep environments also have shown a correlation with SIDS and often have a high rate of death (NIH.gov).
In San Bernardino County, there have been 198 unsafe sleep-related deaths between 2009 and 2017 (SBC CDRT, 2017). Due to this increase, Children’s Network began a prevention education campaign called the ABC’s of Safe Sleep for Infants. The prevention program educates families and caregivers about safe sleep habits for infants through a media campaign that encompasses the whole County. It is the goal of this program to reduce the rates of deaths related to SIDS and other sleep-related causes of death of infants.
We encourage parents to:
- Room share with their infant, but not to co-sleep with their infant.
- Follow the ABC’s of Safe Sleep for Infants
- Alone, on the Back, in a Crib in a Cool environment.
- No bumpers, pillows, blankets, or loose bedding in the crib with the baby.
- Baby should sleep in a safe environment like a crib, bassinet, and/or pack n’ play. Baby should not sleep on items such as bed, couch, or inflatable mattress, to name a few.
Children’s Network is also an affiliate organization with Cribs for Kids and can provide families who do not have a safe environment for their baby to sleep, with a pack n’ play for the baby. To learn more about qualifications, please call (909) 383-9677.
