Safe Sleeping / SIDS
How To Create A Safe Sleep Environment
Many of the things that you think might make for a better night’s sleep— pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, extra clothes, etc.— can raise your baby’s risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Accidental suffocation is the leading cause of all injury-related deaths among infants 1 to 12 months old. Learn what you can do to reduce your baby’s risk. Click for more.
Create a Safe Sleep Space by following these simple guidelines:
- Don’t have blankets, quilts, comforters, or pillows in the crib
- Don’t place bumper pads in the crib
- Don’t use wedges or positioners
- Don’t put toys or stuffed animals in the crib with your baby
- Use a safe crib with firm mattress and tight-fitting sheets
- Don’t share the bed with your baby
- Place your baby on his/her back for naptime and bedtime
- Don’t overdress your baby
- Babies should never sleep on an adult bed, day bed/ twin bed, waterbed, sofa, air mattress, futon, or other soft surface
SIDS
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age and is also known as crib death. SIDS occurs when a baby appears healthy, but for no apparent reason, dies during sleep. In Louisiana, about 60-80 babies per year die of SIDS. SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies 1 to 12 months old.
Although the cause of SIDS is unknown, there are things that parents, grandparents, and babysitters should do to help lower the risk of SIDS. Click for more.
LA SIDS Risk Reduction and Safe Sleep Program
The LA SIDS Risk Reduction and Safe Sleep Program began in 2002. The program is funded by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, and Maternal and Child Health Program. Through its media messages, community outreach, public relations and professional education efforts, the Louisiana SIDS and Safe Sleep Program creates awareness of risks associated with unsafe sleep practices. The program pursues a variety of strategies to encourage behavior change needed to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation deaths in Louisiana.
Bereavement Support
The death of a baby is a painful experience. There are resources and referral services to make sure that you do not have to cope with your loss alone. Click for more.
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