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Remember the ABCs of Safe Sleep for Your Baby!

Between January and May of 2018, 9 infant deaths in Stephenson County resulted from positional asphyxiation – smothering. These deaths were not SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) – they were completely preventable.

The babies who died were all under six months old, with most of them being over 3 months old. Most were in families with other siblings, and a number of them were in families where both parents worked different shifts and the death occurred while one parent was getting home and the other was leaving, so the baby was left alone – usually in the parents' bed – for a short while.

How can you prevent positional asphyxiation? It's simple: Remember the ABCs of safe sleep:

Babies should always sleep:

ALONE
Not in a bed, on a couch, or in a chair with anyone, including parents and other children.

On their BACKS
Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep.

In a safe CRIB
Your baby should sleep in a crib with a firm mattress covered by a tightly fitted sheet. Keep all stuffed animals, toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, crib bumpers, and sleep positioners out of her crib.

What About "Tummy Time"?

Babies do need "tummy time" to strengthen their neck muscles, but only during their awake and playing time, while someone is right there, watching.

Your Pillow-Top Mattress

You might love your new foam mattress or mattress pad that conforms to the shape of your body, but it's not safe for your baby. If baby is left or falls or rolls into a face-down position, the mattress will conform to baby's face, blocking his or her ability to breathe.

Michelle Allen, Operations Leader, Women's Services, talks about this on the Dial-a-Doc radio program.