Ramsey County issued the following announcement on Nov. 6.
Governor Tim Walz has declared November 8-14 Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota.
Every year, 50 or more Minnesota babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. Most of these deaths are caused by unsafe sleep environments. These preventable deaths affect families across all races, ethnicities, socioeconiomic backgrounds, national origins and political beliefs.
The best way to prevent infant sleep-related deaths is to make sure that a baby’s sleeping environment and position are safe. Anyone who takes care of babies should know the ABCs of infant safe sleep.
- A: ALONE: Infants should always sleep or nap alone.
- B: BACK: Always put a baby on their back to sleep or nap.
- C: CRIB: Babies should always sleep or nap in their own safety-approved crib or play yard. Keep loose bedding, bumper pads, blankets, toys or pillows out of cribs to prevent sleep-related tragedies.
- Never put babies to sleep or nap with other people, pets, or stuffed animals. Babies who share a sleep surface with other people or objects are at increased risk of suffocating.
- Never put babies to sleep or nap on their stomachs. This can cause choking and make it harder for them to breathe.
- Never put babies to sleep on adult beds, sofas, recliners, armchairs, futons, and loveseats, or in car seats and baby bouncers. They should sleep in their own safety-approved crib or play yard that has a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
This content was developed based on Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Ramsey County
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