FirstHealth of the Carolinas is launching a safe sleep Initiative to raise awareness about how to put babies to sleep safely and lower the incidence of infant deaths.
More than 3,000 babies die from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) each year in the United States. Infant sleep-related deaths kill more American children under 18 years of age than car accidents, suicides, guns or drug overdoses combined.
“Our Labor and Delivery and NICU teams are working hard to ensure that every family goes home with a full understanding of the importance of safe sleep for infants,” neonatologist Laura Valleni, M.D., said. “Sleep-related deaths are almost always preventable, so we want to do all we can to keep babies healthy.”
Funded in part by The Foundation of FirstHealth and Charlie’s Kids, FirstHealth is now sending each new baby home with “Sleep Baby Safe and Snug,” a book that parents can read to kids before bed. The initiative also includes resources to educate parents about safe sleep practices.
“The book is a gentle lullaby that can help get baby ready for bed, but the back cover also includes a chart with dos and don’ts for safe sleep,” Valleni said. “New parents are often overwhelmed and tired, so this is a simple way to reinforce the right ways to put a baby to sleep without a complicated instruction booklet.”
As part of the initiative, FirstHealth has also installed new signage around the hospital to educate patients, families and visitors about safe sleep.
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Contributed article/photo.
