All babies should sleep safely, yet SIDS is still claiming young lives. While more awareness and education is needed, two area hospitals are leading the way. TriStar Centennial Women’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial are now “Gold Safe Sleep Champions” for the commitment to safe infant sleep. The first Middle Tennessee hospitals to receive this title, the recognition is part of a National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program. SIDS, the sudden and unexplained death of a baby younger than 1, remains the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year. It remains unpredictable despite years of research.
Safe Passage Home
Educating new parents is a big part of helping them to adjust to home life with a new infant. “Our nurses oversee the well-being of our newest patients as we strive to provide a safe passage for newborns and families transitioning back home,” said Joann Ettien, chief operating officer for TriStar Centennial Women’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial. “Our nurses educate families on infant safe sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS — a devastating loss that no parent or sibling should ever have to endure.”
Cribs for Kids Creation
Gold Safe Sleep was created by Cribs for Kids, a organization dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths. The program is aligned with the Maternal Child Health Bureau’s vision of reducing infant mortality through the promotion of infant sleep safety. Thirty-six states have designated SIDS/SUIDS/SRD as their emphasis to reduce infant mortality. Learn more about creating a safe infant sleep environment at tristarcentennial.com.
