Doctors Hospital of Manteca Putting Spotlight on Infant Safe Sleep Practices

October is SIDS Awareness Month

Manteca, Calif. – Doctors Hospital of Manteca is raising awareness about infant safe sleep practices as part of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 3,500 sleep-related deaths in the United States each year. Recent research shows that unsafe bedding, such as soft or loose blankets in baby sleep areas, remains a leading cause of infant death.

Doctors Hospital of Manteca is proud to be designated as a Silver Safe Sleep Leader by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program for our commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Manteca is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and providing training programs for healthcare team members and family caregivers.

During their stay, new parents will learn about the safest way for their baby to sleep to prevent SIDS. Doctors Hospital of Manteca utilizes HALO SleepSack swaddle wearable blankets, which replace traditional blankets to model a safe, blanket-free alternative for parents. The goal is to support and promote safe sleep education for parents, and allow nursing staff to teach safe sleep through demonstration while in the hospital.

“Studies consistently indicate that what parents see nurses do in the hospital is retained better than simply being told what to do,” said Leila Castillo, RN, Director of Perinatal Services at Doctors Hospital of Manteca. “Being designated as a Safe Sleep Leader is just one example of our commitment to keeping babies safe while they sleep and providing new parents with the tools they need once they leave the hospital.”

Parents and caregivers can help create a safe sleep area for babies by taking the following steps:

• Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times – naps and at night.
• Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet, covered only by a fitted sheet.
• Keep soft bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads and toys out of your baby’s sleep area.
• The back sleep position carries the lowest risk of SIDS and is recommended for all babies, including preterm babies, until they are one-year-old.

For more information about SIDS and safe infant sleep, click here.