State announces launch of Safe Sleep campaign

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) announces the launch of a Safe Sleep media campaign.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/sids/aboutsuidandsids.htm), about 3,500 US infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year, most while the infant is sleeping in an unsafe sleep environment. A collaborative effort to reduce the infant mortality rate in Nevada by promoting Safe Sleep practices is comprised of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Carson City Health and Human Services, Southern Nevada Health District and Washoe County Health District, as well as local media outlets helping to get the message out and many direct service providers conveying Safe Sleep messages to parents every day.

Infant death due to an unsafe sleep environment is preventable. Infant deaths involving unsafe sleep conditions can occur when the baby is in the care of someone other than parents; we ALL need to be educated about Safe Sleep. Safe Sleep education campaigns have been proven to reduce infant deaths.

Safe Sleep practices include placing a baby to sleep ALONE, on their BACK, and in a CRIB- at all times, no exceptions.

ALONE: Do not sleep with a baby ever. Do not share sleeping spaces – even with siblings.

On BACK: Placing a baby to sleep on their back greatly reduces infant deaths.

In a CRIB: Use a firm crib mattress covered by a tight-fitted sheet. Do not put baby to sleep on an adult bed or couch.

Keep blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumper padding and other soft items out of the baby’s sleeping area. Refrain from using car seats, swings or strollers for routine sleep. Keep the crib in your room close by. Safe Sleep for babies includes a smoke-free environment and breastfeeding.

For information on Safe Sleep practices or about the Maternal and Child Health Program, contact Christina Turner, Maternal and Infant Health Coordinator at christinaturner@health.nv.gov or by calling 775-684-4285. For information about the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, go to http://dpbh.nv.gov.