The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) wants you to help combat
infant mortality by joining the #ClearTheCrib #SafeSleepAL challenge.
Sleep-related infant deaths are still a major problem in Alabama. Of the
391 babies that tragically died in 2022, 105 are counted as Sudden
Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs). SUIDs include deaths with the
following causes listed on the death certificate: sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed, and
undetermined.
What is SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome is the sudden death of a baby younger than
1 year of age that does not have a known cause, even after a full
investigation. “There’s been a shift away from talking about SIDS
and instead talking about Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID),”
explains State Perinatal Division Director, Carolyn Miller. Many of the
deaths classified as undetermined occur in an unsafe sleep environment,
even though they are not documented as SIDS. Creating a safe sleep
environment for infants could significantly decrease the prevalence of
sleep-related infant deaths.
How _You_ Can Get Involved.
October is SIDS Awareness Month, and ADPH continues to promote the ABCs
of safe sleep—Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.
To help highlight and clarify what a safe, clear crib environment looks
like, ADPH is promoting the National Institute of Health’s Safe to
Sleep® #ClearTheCrib challenge. This social media challenge is a fun
and engaging way to highlight the importance of a clear crib to reduce
the risk of suffocation and other SUIDs. All pillows, loose blankets,
bumper pads, stuffed animals, and even baby hats should be removed from
a crib for a baby to sleep safely. To successfully “Clear the Crib,”
participants need to remove all unsafe items from a cluttered crib and
ensure that the doll representing the baby is safely positioned. This is
a timed challenge.
The intention is to have fun while spreading the word on keeping babies
safe. Infants statewide need you to help spread awareness by joining the
#ClearTheCrib #SafeSleepAL challenge. ADPH invites you to be creative
and use your platforms to educate communities about safe sleep for
infants. Make sure to include the tags #ClearTheCrib and #SafeSleepAL.
Are you ready to prevent infant mortality in your community?
For more information about the social media campaign, visit
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/perinatal/safe-sleep.html [1]
If you can’t afford a safe place for your infant to sleep, visit
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/perinatal/cribs-for-kids.html [2]