Mercy has long emphasized the importance of safe sleep by educating caregivers and supplying families with important resources. After a thorough review, Mercy Hospital Washington achieved certification as a Gold Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital. This certification demonstrates Mercy Washington’s adherence to rigorous guidelines established by the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.

 According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100 out of 100,000 babies born in Missouri between 2018-22 died of sudden unexpected infant death, which includes sudden infant death syndrome.

 “Our team is committed to ensuring every newborn gets the highest quality care, including best practices in infant safe sleep,” said Chandra Alsop, Mercy Childbirth Center Washington nurse manager. “By providing education to families, we are making great strides, and preventing the death of even one infant makes it all worthwhile.”

 Cribs for Kids is a national safe sleep initiative dedicated to reducing infant mortality.

 “Sleep-related deaths are the number-one reason we lose our babies each year — 3,400 infants annually,” said Dr. Michael H. Goodstein, neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids. “Modeling safe sleep and providing education to families will have an impact on infant mortality. The Cribs for Kids program recognizes hospitals making this commitment.”

 The rate of sleep-related infant death declined significantly in the 1990s after the American Academy of Pediatrics and others recommended that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, but rates have since plateaued, and SIDS remains the leading cause of post-neonatal mortality. All families should implement recommendations that reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death: 

•  Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people. 
• Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
• Avoid putting babies to sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car). 
• Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space. 
• Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.

 “The National Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program launched in 2015. It is rooted in the Safe Sleep Recommendations made by the AAP and the research that demonstrates that families do at home what they see done in the hospital. There are more than 500 infant safe sleep certified hospitals across the country and beyond. We are proud to welcome Mercy Washington to our program. It will have a profound effect on saving babies’ lives,” said Judy Bannon, Cribs for Kids founder and CEO.

 For more information about the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit www.cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification.