Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Bronze Safe Sleep Hospital” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. In addition, EIRMC was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and providing training programs for parents, staff and the community.
“Each year, sleep-related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S. When an infant leaves our hospital, we want every parent to know that safe sleeping practices can keep reduce this risk. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts to help keep children safer in our community,” noted Iris Torvik, Administrative Director for Women & Children’s Services at EIRMC.
Safe sleeping practices include:
* Put your baby to sleep on a firm surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or playpen (not bed or couch).
* Always place your baby to sleep on his or her back.
* Avoid soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, soft toys and stuffed animals.
* Share a bedroom with parents (but not the same sleeping surface) at least for your baby’s first six months, but preferably until one year of age.
* Avoid your baby’s exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs.
The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to preventing infant, sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation.
Source: Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Photo by Java Indy.