MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – A campaign to make sure babies are sleeping safely is taking a new turn in an effort to gain attention. The Alabama Department of Public Health is marking SIDS Awareness Month with a “Safe Sleep, Clear Cribs” challenge involving sports teams.
Alabama has one of the five states with the highest infant mortality rates. Of the 443 infant deaths in 2021, 101 were counted as having SIDS, according to ADPH.
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which refers to the death of a baby under the age of one where the cause is unknown even after extensive investigations, and experts say the number can be significantly reduced by creating a safe sleep environment for babies.
October is SIDS Awareness Month, and ADPH is using the month to promote the ABCs of safe sleep, such as putting babies to sleep alone, on their backs, and in their cribs.
They are using social media with high school mascots and sports teams to promote what a safe and clean crib environment looks like. You will notice the hashtag #Clearthecrib on these social media sites, which emphasizes that pillows, loose blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, and even baby hats should be removed from the crib so that babies can sleep safely. You will also see high school football teams across the state taking on the challenge.
If you need more information or are having trouble finding a safe place for your baby to sleep, click here.
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