Do you know that babies should be put to sleep on their back, every nap, every bedtime?
Recommendation: “Back to Sleep!”
Did you know that crib bumpers are no longer recommended?
Recommendation: “Bare is Best!”
Did you know that Mom and Dad co-sleeping with their baby is unsafe?
Recommendation: Same Room, Separate Surface!
The Elliot Hospital Associates were asked to support an innovative program in Women’s and Children’s Services. A very engaged group of nurses was concerned that families did not know about safe sleep practices for babies. They wanted the Elliot Hospital to become the first hospital in New Hampshire to become a “Safe Sleep Hospital” certified by an organization called “Cribs for Kids.” This is a national program for parent education about the prevention of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and SUID, Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (sometimes caused by suffocation of the baby).
The “Cribs for Kids” program requires that baby safe sleep practices are taught to all staff, who then educate all families. A component of this program is that while in the hospital after birth, the baby sleep in a special “ sleep sack” to model to families safe sleep of the baby. The staff also wanted each family to receive a sleep sack to take home and use during the next few months of life. The Associates approved a significant gift to this program that gives each family who has a baby at the Elliot a sleep sack. The sleep sack swaddle keeps the baby cozy and warm while the baby sleeps on her or his back.
As a result of all of these efforts, including the set up of a “model” nursery in the Women’s and Children’s Services waiting room, the Elliot Hospital has become the first hospital in New Hampshire to become a Gold Level Hospital in safe sleep education. The Associates’ gift is an important part of this program and the hospital’s commitment to best practices and education in infant safe sleep.
So remember and let everyone you know: “Back to Sleep, Bare is Best, Same Room, Separate Surface!”