Delaware County, Indiana

Safe Sleep

It has been nearly a quarter of a century since the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development launched the “Back to Sleep” campaign, and more than a decade since the Institute renamed the campaign “Safe to Sleep” to educate physicians and caregivers about safe sleep environments as well as safe sleep position.  And yet, approximately 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths still occur each year in the United States; a number that has remained fairly steady since initial declines in the 1990’s.   Recent research analyzing data from the Center for Disease Control’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System found that in 2015, 21.6% of respondents from 32 states reported that they did not place their infants on their back to sleep.  In addition, more than 61% of respondents from 14 states reported sharing their bed with their infant, while nearly 39% from 13 states reported using soft bedding for their infant.

Local community agencies have implemented multiple solutions to help reduce or eliminate child fatalities related to unsafe sleep conditions. IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital does a phenomenal job at educating parents of newborns about safe sleep.  Prior to discharge, parents are required to watch a short video about safe sleep, receive information and instruction about safe sleep practices by a nurse, and provided with written materials regarding safe sleep.  Most of the pediatricians in the are consistently educate parents about safe sleep practices. 

Additionally the ABC’s of the safe sleep initiative seeks to reduce infant fatalities due to unsafe sleep practices.  Infants and babies should always sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a safe Crib.  

However, despite the wide spread availability of these prevention programs, locally we continue to see this type of child neglect.  Sleeping with the infant in an adult bed can result in the fatal smothering of an infant.  Contrary to the belief of some, sleeping in adult bed with your infant or, engaging in other unsafe sleep practices is, by definition, child neglect.

For more information refer to the Safe Sleep Fact Sheet.