Every week, three babies die in Ohio because they have been placed to sleep in an unsafe sleep environment. Our office and the Ohio Department of Health have partnered to make portable cribs and a safe sleep kits available to families and caregivers who are unable to provide a safe sleep environment due to financial hardship. Each safe sleep kit contains a sheet for the portable crib, a sleep sack for the infant, a bedtime storybook, and educational materials for the parents. To be eligible to receive a portable crib, families must meet WIC income guidelines, must come to our office to pick up the portable crib, and must receive instruction on proper assembly and use before they can take the portable crib home. Additionally, effective April 1, 2015, the family must meet one of the following requirements to receive a safe sleep kit: 1) the infant is less than one year old and less than 30 lbs.; OR 2) the mother is at least 32 weeks pregnant. Please contact our office for more information at 330.270.2855, ext. 125.
Click Here for an Every Baby Sleeps Safe Flyer!
ABC’s of Safe Sleep from the Ohio Department of Health
A: Alone
Share the room, not the bed! 2 out of 3 babies who died while sleeping were sharing an adult bed, couch or chair.
Parents or caregivers should never nap on a couch or chair while holding their baby. Always make sure your child is placed in a crib or play yard with a firm mattress.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in your bed. Place the baby’s crib or bassinet near your bed (within arm’s reach). This makes it easier to breastfeed and bond with your baby.
There is no proven safe way to share the bed with your child because:
-
You can accidentally roll too close to or onto baby while they sleep.
-
Your baby can become covered by a bedspread or blanket and suffocate.
-
Babies can get trapped between the mattress and the wall, headboard, footboard or other piece of furniture.
-
Your baby could fall from the bed and get hurt or fall into a pile of clothing or other soft items on the floor and suffocate.
B: Back 
There are many myths surrounding babies sleeping on their backs; however, science has proven that back is best for baby. Some commonly asked questions regarding these myths are:
Isn’t it easier for my baby to choke on her back?
No! Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to suffocate or choke. See why babies are less likely to choke while on their backs.
No! Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to suffocate or choke. See why babies are less likely to choke while on their backs.
My baby isn’t comfortable and doesn’t sleep as well on her back.
Babies do sleep deeper on their stomachs, but it’s safer for baby to wake through the night. When babies sleep deeper, they don’t wake up as often. When a baby is in a deep sleep and needs to take a deep breath or wake up her airway may be blocked by the mattress or loose bedding or covered in some other way, so she will be at more risk for suffocation. Back sleeping is safest for your baby!
Babies do sleep deeper on their stomachs, but it’s safer for baby to wake through the night. When babies sleep deeper, they don’t wake up as often. When a baby is in a deep sleep and needs to take a deep breath or wake up her airway may be blocked by the mattress or loose bedding or covered in some other way, so she will be at more risk for suffocation. Back sleeping is safest for your baby!
If I put my baby on her back, she’ll get a flat head.
For the most part, flat spots on a baby’s head go away a few months after the baby learns to sit up. There are other ways to reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby’s head, such as providing “tummy time” when your baby is awake and someone is watching. “Tummy time” not only helps prevent flat spots, but it also helps a baby’s head, neck, and shoulder muscles get stronger.
For the most part, flat spots on a baby’s head go away a few months after the baby learns to sit up. There are other ways to reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby’s head, such as providing “tummy time” when your baby is awake and someone is watching. “Tummy time” not only helps prevent flat spots, but it also helps a baby’s head, neck, and shoulder muscles get stronger.
How long should my baby sleep on her back?
Once your baby can roll from back to belly on their own, it’s ok to leave her in the position she finds most comfortable. Remember to put your baby to sleep on her back for the first year.
Once your baby can roll from back to belly on their own, it’s ok to leave her in the position she finds most comfortable. Remember to put your baby to sleep on her back for the first year.
Remember these ways to keep baby safest:
-
Don’t cover baby’s head with a blanket or over bundle in clothing and blankets.
-
Avoid letting the baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid breathing.
-
Dress the baby lightly for sleep. Set the room temperature between 68 to 72 degrees.
C: Crib 
An empty crib is best. Many parents believe baby won’t be warm or comfortable without bumper pads, blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, but these items can be deadly. Babies can suffocate on or be strangled by any extra item in the crib.
This is how to keep baby safe:
-
Place your baby on a firm mattress, covered by a fitted sheet that meets current safety standards.
-
Bumper pads and sleep positioning wedges should not be placed in the crib with the baby.
-
Don’t use loose bedding, such as comforters and blankets.
-
Sleep clothing, such as fitted, appropriate-sized sleepers, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are safer for baby than blankets!
-
Don’t place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, air mattresses, pillows, or cushions.
-
Toys and other soft bedding, including fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows and stuffed animals should not be placed in the crib with the baby. These items can suffocate baby if they are close to his face.
-
Place baby’s crib in your room – you can respond to his needs and then return him to his crib to sleep.
Can my baby injure a limb between the crib slats if there are no bumpers?
Although serious injuries are uncommon, there have been reported cases of babies and older infants sustaining minor limb injuries after getting a hand or foot caught between crib slats. These injuries have not been fatal. Younger infants typically do not generate enough force on their own to cause a significant fracture, but injuries can occur, particularly in older or more active children who move vigorously during sleep.
Although serious injuries are uncommon, there have been reported cases of babies and older infants sustaining minor limb injuries after getting a hand or foot caught between crib slats. These injuries have not been fatal. Younger infants typically do not generate enough force on their own to cause a significant fracture, but injuries can occur, particularly in older or more active children who move vigorously during sleep.
In most situations, a baby may become briefly stuck, wake, and cry for help. While this can be upsetting, using a crib that meets current safety standards, with slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, provides the best protection against injury.
Resources: