Cribs for Kids at the Henry County Health Department is a local program aimed to keep sleep-related infant deaths low. This program is offered to anyone pregnant or who has a child under 1 year old, is WIC eligible, and in need of a safe space for the child to sleep.  Eligible parents receive a Pack ‘n Play, sheet, and cozy sleep sack; educational material about safe sleep environments for babies; and a book to read to their child. The program is promoted by Leah Budke, MPH, health educator in the Maternal & Child Health program, and Henry County Help Me Grow home visitors, all located at Henry County Health Department.

Here are a few more tips from the Henry County Health Department to keep your child (or grandchild) safe while sleeping:

1. Infants should be placed to sleep on their back, every time by every caregiver, until the child reaches 1 year of age.  Parents, make sure to tell everyone that watches your child that Back to Sleep is best.
2. Infants should be placed on a firm sleeping surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress covered only by a fitted sheet with no other bedding or soft objects.  Though crib bumpers and stuffed animals make the crib look inviting, they pose a suffocation hazard.  Remove everything but the fitted sheet and save the toys for playtime.
3. Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Certified lactation counselors are happy to help new moms learn how to breastfeed. These helpful experts can be found at Henry County Health Department, Henry County WIC, Henry County Hospital, and Riverview Women’s Care.
4. Do not allow your infant to sleep with you on your bed.  It is recommended that infants sleep on a separate sleeping surface (bassinet, crib, or Pack ‘n Play) in the parents’ room for at least 6 months and up to one year.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “room-sharing reduces SIDS risk and removes the possibility of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment that may occur when the infant is sleeping in the adult bed.”

For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org.  To learn more about Cribs for Kids, contact Leah Budke at 419-599-5545.  Henry County Health Department’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents, including our very youngest ones!