Safe Sleeping for Your Baby

The Safe Sleeping campaign was sparked by the increase in infant deaths in the state as a result of co-sleeping. One child dies each week from suffocation. Child Services wants to send a clear message that sleeping with your child could lead to their death. You might have seen the public service announcement where the mother is lying on the couch with her child and wakes to find the baby is not breathing. This is a horrifying reality, and one the Indiana Department of Child Services is trying to change. James Payne, the Director of Indiana Department of Child Services says “For parents to believe, and maybe even know, they were directly responsible for a death of an infant is emotionally devastating.” The number one killer of infants in Allen County is accidental suffocation. In one Indiana county, over 10 babies died in just two weeks due to unsafe sleeping. Payne says “something as simple as a blanket may be a cause of fatality. Thats totally preventable. Dr. Gutierrez, a Pediatrician, says “the safest way for a baby to sleep is on its back, in a crib that is designed for an infant with a firm fitting mattress. No bumper pads." For those in need of a crib, Parkview Hospital is lending a helping hand. Their free crib program called "Cribs for Kids" gives away 30 cribs a month. Connie Kerrigank, with Parkview Hospital, says “We started a crib program so that we could give parents who needed it and who lacked financial resources, to get a free crib. So every baby has a safe place to sleep.” To get a free crib from Parkview you must meet the financial requirements and take their safe sleeping class. Fort more information on the Cribs for Kids Program, call (260) 373-6380.