Help Babies Sleep Safely With Tips From County Health Experts

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health has safety tips for parents, grandparents and caregivers to help keep infants safe.

Anne Arundel County’s rate of infant mortality is 4.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. Sleep-related incidents are the third leading cause of infant deaths, after prematurity and congenital abnormalities. Since 2016, there have been 18 Anne Arundel County infant deaths linked to unsafe sleeping practices, including bed sharing and sleeping under piles of blankets.

The safest way to put babies to sleep is by following the safe sleep ABC’s – Alone, on their Backs, in a safe Crib. The Department of Health offers the following tips for safe sleep for babies:

• Use a firm mattress that fits tightly into the crib frame and is covered by a
well-fitted sheet.
• The distance between crib rails should not be wider than a 12-ounce soda can.
• Loose bedding, soft toys and bumpers should not be in the crib.

For more tips on infant safe sleep practices and other infant care information and resources, visit www.aahealthybabies.org.