Press Release

The National Institute of Health is pleased to announce the launch of the Safe to Sleep Campaign which enhances the previous Back to Sleep Campaign of 1994.  This campaign is different from the original program in that it expands the focus from only Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to all sleep-related, sudden unexpected infant deaths.  As part of the initiative, the NIH has announced Safe to Sleep Champions in the states with the highest numbers of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths to promote the new campaign.

Stephanie Pruitt, Pediatric Physical Therapist and author of The Truth About Tummy Time: A Parent’s Guide to SIDS, the Back to Sleep Program, Car Seats and More has been named a Safe to Sleep Champion by the National Institute of Health as a spokesperson for the North Alabama region.  Pruitt, along with 35 other Champions in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming will be promoting the Safe to Sleep Campaign in various media outlets throughout the month of October, National SIDS Awareness month, to spread the word about the new campaign.

“What you know could save your baby’s life”, Pruitt says stressing that a safe sleep environment can determine your baby’s survival.  “Although the SIDS rate has declined in recent years, the rates of other sleep-related deaths like suffocation, accidental strangulation and entrapment have increased making this program so important for parents and caregivers of infants up to one year old.” 

The main message of the new campaign is a safe sleeping environment.  This includes a separate sleep environment for the infant (like a crib, bassinet or play yard) with a firm mattress that fits the bed snugly.  Infants should not be placed to sleep in an adult bed due to the risk of overlay, entrapment or suffocation.  All soft, loose items like stuffed animals, thick, heavy blankets or pillows should not be placed in the sleeping area as they pose a risk of suffocation.   The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing the baby on the back to sleep for every sleep in a safe sleeping environment. 

For more information on the Safe to Sleep campaign, visit www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS

For more information on The Truth About Tummy Time A Parent’s Guide to SIDS, the Back to Sleep Program, Car Seats and More visit www.abouttummytime.com