Remember the ABCs of Safe Sleep for Your Baby!

Between January and May of 2018, 9 infant deaths in Stephenson County resulted from positional asphyxiation – smothering. These deaths were not SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) – they were completely preventable.

The babies who died were all under six months old, with most of them being over 3 months old. Most were in families with other siblings, and a number of them were in families where both parents worked different shifts and the death occurred while one parent was getting home and the other was leaving, so the baby was left alone – usually in the parents' bed – for a short while.

How can you prevent positional asphyxiation? It's simple: Remember the ABCs of safe sleep:

Babies should always sleep:

ALONE
Not in a bed, on a couch, or in a chair with anyone, including parents and other children.

On their BACKS
Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep.

In a safe CRIB
Your baby should sleep in a crib with a firm mattress covered by a tightly fitted sheet. Keep all stuffed animals, toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, crib bumpers, and sleep positioners out of her crib.

What About "Tummy Time"?

Babies do need "tummy time" to strengthen their neck muscles, but only during their awake and playing time, while someone is right there, watching.

Your Pillow-Top Mattress

You might love your new foam mattress or mattress pad that conforms to the shape of your body, but it's not safe for your baby. If baby is left or falls or rolls into a face-down position, the mattress will conform to baby's face, blocking his or her ability to breathe.

Michelle Allen, Operations Leader, Women's Services, talks about this on the Dial-a-Doc radio program.

Free Door Hanger

Everyone who takes care of your baby should follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep. Pick up a free door hanger for the door to baby's room or to hang on baby's crib itself at the front desk in the atrium entrance at FHN Memorial Hospital or at any of our partners in the community:

Abundant Life Christian Food Pantry, 250 N. Westwood Ave., Freeport
Faith for Miracles Worship Center, 3247 S. Baileyville Road, Freeport
Freeport Area Church Cooperative Food Pantry, 514 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport
Gospel Outreach of Freeport, 211 W. Spring St., Freeport
Joseph's Pantry, 203 W. Pleasant St., Freeport
Mt. Calvary Hearts that Care Food Pantry, 420 Challenge St., Freeport
Salvation Army Freeport Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, 106 W. Exchange St., Freeport
Amity Daycare and Learning Center, 511 S. Liberty Ave., Freeport
Classic Cinemas Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport
Five Spotted Fawns Boutique, 15 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport
Freeport Fire Department, 1650 S. Walnut Ave., Freeport
Freeport Police Department, 320 W. Exchange St., Freeport
Mother Hubbard's Kiddie Cupboard, 9 E. Main St., Freeport
Stephenson County Health Department, 10 W. Linden St., Freeport
YMCA, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport
YMCA Early Learning Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport

Also at these FHN locations in Freeport:
FHN Specialty Care – Harlem Avenue
FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills
FHN Family Healthcare Center – Highland View Drive

Download a copy of our door hanger.