Friday, October 01, 2010
Charlotte, NC - Presbyterian Healthcare and the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation (NCHSF) is partnering to give onesies (baby garments) to babies born at a Presbyterian hospital in October for National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. Each onesie has a safe sleep message written directly on it: “Stomach to Play, Back to Sleep, For Baby’s Safe Sleep.” These onesies remind parents and caregivers that placing a baby on his back to sleep for the first year of life is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
In 2009, SIDS accounted for 98 deaths in children under one year of age in North Carolina. In addition to SIDS deaths, many babies die from accidental suffocation and strangulation. These preventable deaths are often related to babies being placed in unsafe sleep environments such as couches, sleeping with parents, or surrounded by excess bedding, according to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The safest place for a baby to sleep is alone in a crib or bassinet close to a parent or caregiver.
NCHSF, in collaboration with the NC Division of Public Health, coordinates the NC Infant Safe Sleep campaign. Since 1994, the campaign has educated families, childcare providers, health and social service providers and policy makers about steps they can take to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Safe sleep tips for new parents include:
- Put your baby on his/her back to sleep for naps and at night
- Use a firm mattress for baby’s crib
- Keep pillows, comforters and soft blankets, stuffed animals and toys out of the crib
- Baby should sleep in his or her own crib
- Do not let anyone smoke near your baby
- Breastfeed your baby: as well as many other benefits, it can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50 percent
- Keep baby and the room temperature comfortable (68˚ - 75˚F) – not too hot
Julie Delcasino, RNC, RN, BSN,nurse educator, arranged for Presbyterian Healthcare to receive the onesies. “We are excited to help spread the word about safe sleep habits, hopefully preventing SIDS and other infant deaths. Safe sleep is something we educate all of our new parents about, and NCHSF is great at helping us spread that message.”
NCHSF Infant Safe Sleep Coordinator Marta Pirzadeh has been leading the hospital outreach effort. “Hospital staff is provided many opportunities to educate new parents and model safe sleep behaviors,” Pirzadeh said. “We are thrilled that new parents will leave Presbyterian with information to help their babies sleep safely once they get home.” Since 2007, NCHSF has provided infant safe sleep resources to more than 45 hospitals. This year, more than 9,000 babies are expected to leave hospitals with the onesies.
For more information about NCHSF, visit www.NCHealthyStart.org or call 919-828-1819. For more information about Presbyterian Healthcare’s maternity services, visit www.presbyterian.org/maternity or call 704-384-CARE (2273).
