Safe Sleep

The Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative works along with the activities of the Mississippi State Department of Health, in partnership with hospitals and community organizations like the MS SIDS and Infant Safety Alliance to promote safe sleep education for parents, families and caregivers statewide. In Mississippi sleep related deaths including suffocations, roll-over accidents and SIDS together are the leading cause of infant death for infants older than 1 month of age. The great majority of these deaths are preventable by following the ABC’S of Safe Sleep with infants sleeping: Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib and a Smoke-free environment.

Here’s what the ABC’s mean:

–ALONE: Babies should not sleep with adults, other children, or pets. No pillows, blankets, soft toys, or crib bumpers should be in the sleep area.

–BACK:Place baby on his or her back to sleep at nap time and at night to prevent choking.

–CRIB: Babies should sleep in either a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play. Babies should not sleep in an adult bed, couch, or chair. 

–SMOKE-FREE:Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around the baby.

Current Safe Sleep Initiatives

– ‘Sleep Baby safe and Snug’ Children’s Book– MSDH is providing all birthing facilities with the children’s board book  ‘Sleep Baby safe and Snug’, which educates families and caregivers about safe sleep. The book was written by pediatric cardiologist Dr. John Hutton who tragically lost his son Charlie to SIDS. MSDH is providing the books free of charge to hospitals and is encouraging all facilities to adopt universal patient education and safe sleep policies. The books are also being distributed to community health educators

If your hospital is not enrolled or you represent a community organization or medical office that is interested in distributing the books click here to access the enrollment form. Sleep Safe Book Order Form