According to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Missouri has experienced a 46% increase over the last two years in the number of infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping practices. This topic continues to be of vital importance for professionals and families in Missouri and across the country. SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis recently held a news conference promoting safe sleep environments for infants and young children and discussed the risks associated with bed sharing. The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) reminds parents/caretakers that the message is as simple as ABC – Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib. CTF offers a free brochure, ‘Six Simple Steps to Make Your Baby’s Crib Safe’, which can be ordered online and/or printed from our website. An accompanying Safe Sleep Poster can be printed now with hard copies available soon. Also please check out these related stories and resources:
- News Release – Sleeping With Babies, DHSS 1/28/09
- Article – Rise in Infant Suffocations Renews Debate On Bed-Sharing, Washington Post online 1/26/09
- Article – Co-sleeping With Baby Never Okay, JC News Tribune online 1/24/09
- Article – Dallas (TX) Morning News, 11/27/08
- Related – Story and PSA’s from WHAMTV13, Rochester, NY
- Public Service Announcement – Infant Suffocation from Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department]
