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Sleep Baby Safely

FL Dept of Health in Pinellas - Main Contact Information - Phone Available 24 hrs/day

 Baby In Crib Behind Bars

On average, a healthy baby dies every month while sleeping unsafely, making it the leading cause of preventable death for children in Pinellas County. In January 2018, JWB and our partners launched Sleep Baby Safely, a campaign driven by local data featuring consistent messaging, coordinated materials, and educational training. The goal is to prevent and eliminate infant sleep-related suffocation deaths.

In 2018 and 2019, 12,908 parents and caregivers received safe sleep education and materials; 556 first responders were trained and equipped with campaign materials for direct on-scene education; and 269 medical personnel were trained and provided with campaign materials to deliver a consistent message. Today, 54 partner agencies continue to work collectively on the campaign, and 6,000+ Welcome Baby Bags are given out annually to parents of newborns at Pinellas County birthing hospitals, alongside intentional face-to-face safe sleep education.

The message is being spread that these deaths are caused by suffocation, not SIDS, due to babies sleeping unsafely – and it’s 100% preventable. Since launching Sleep Baby Safely, infant sleep-related deaths have been reduced, on average, by 50%!

October is Infant Sleep Safe Awareness Month, and JWB and our partners are doubling down on efforts to raise awareness and increase safe sleep practices. Together, we can share these three life-saving tips to protect babies from suffocation – every night and every nap:

  • Practice Safe Sleep ABCs: Alone, Back, Crib
  • Share a Room, Not a Bed
  • Stay Alert While Feeding Baby

 Safe Sleep ABCs: Alone, Back, Crib. Always put babies to sleep alone on their back in an empty crib with only a firm mattress and tight-fitting sheet.

 Share A Room, Not A Bed. Bring baby's crib into parent's room, and never put baby to sleep on a soft surface like an adult bed, couch, or air mattress

Stay Alert While Feeding Baby. Set an alarm and always return baby to crib after feeding. Breastfeed, if possible - it's best for baby

OTHER WAYS TO HELP: