October 19, 2009

One topic of awareness in October is SIDS for increased education and prevention. Health care providers don’t know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do know babies sleep safer on their back, should be placed on a firm sleep surface, should not be sleeping in a shared bed and nothing else should be in the crib with baby.

South Haven Health System (SHHS) has gone one step further to provide babies a comfortable safe sleep environment by using SleepSackTM wearable blankets. Every baby born at SHHS is placed in proper sleep position in a SleepSackTM and is even sent home with a gift of a SleepSackTM to create a safe sleep environment at home. A blanket-free safe sleep environment is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the SIDS Alliance, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and independent health providers and consultants.

“I believe we are leaders in the shift to a new standard of care for infants with “blanket-free” policies and the use of wearable blankets to keep babies more comfortable and safer,” says Jean Litaker, RN, Director of Patient Care. “By using the SleepSackTM in the hospital and sending each baby home with one, SHHS is providing all parents and caregivers access to a safe sleep environment for their newborn.” SHHS is the only hospital in southwest Michigan with this comprehensive safe sleep program.

In an effort to promote safe sleep, not only is SHHS using the SleepSackTM and sending babies home with one, they have made them easily available to purchase at the hospital gift shop, They have them in stock for purchase at a rate less than department stores. If you are looking for an idea for a baby gift, what is better than a gift that offers warmth and safety?

Providing a safe sleep environment is the single most important step you can take to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS, suffocation and accidental infant deaths. Take time during your pregnancy to learn about providing a safe sleep environment for your newborn. If you are pregnant and have questions about providing a safe sleep environment for your baby, call Shoreline Woman’s Center at 269-639-2720 or the Maternal Infant Health Program at 269-639-2716. If you have other questions about a safe sleep environment for infants, call the Maternal Infant Health Program or Shoreline Family Care at 269-639-2772.