Health District offering free cribs

District partners with Ohio Board of Health and Cribs for Kids

The Ohio Department of Health has partnered with the Lake County General Health District and Cribs for Kids to provide an infant sleeping package for income-eligible families while supplies last.

The program was designed to reduce infant deaths which can occur due to unsafe sleeping practices. According to the health district, four infants died in 2017 related to unsafe sleeping practices.

“With education and proper practices to reduce risks, the

burden of infant mortality can be reduced and prevented,” the health district stated in a related news release.

Primary caregivers to infants can receive either a Graco Pack ‘n Play or a Cribs for Kids cribette. In order to receive either kit an educational class conducted by the health district must be attended by the infant’s primary caregiver.

“In this session, the parent(s)/caregiver(s) receive important information about safe sleep practices and proper use of the cribette,” the health district stated.

“Although a kit is only provided to the primary caregiver, anyone who will be caring for the baby is welcome to attend the appointment to receive education on safe sleep,” the health district said.

The Ohio Department of Health highlighted the A, B, Cs of safe infant sleeping practices: they should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.

They also offered several infant safety tips in relation to the partnership with the health district and Cribs for Kids.

• They say it is safe for the infant to sleep in the same room but not in the same bed.

• They urge parents not to place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, pillows, cushions or soft surfaces.

• Use a sleep sack but not a blanket.

• Avoid letting the baby get too hot.

• Make sure to stay current on all recommended vaccinations.

• Breastfeeding is recommended to help to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Place the crib in an area that is always smoke free.

• Consider using a pacifier at nap time and bed time, once breastfeeding is well established.

• Obtain regular prenatal care to reduce the risk of SIDS even before birth.

Cribs for Kids started as the Sudden Infant Death Services of Pennsylvania in 1998 by Judy Bannon. After noting that infant mortality rates were higher for lower-income families due to their inability to acquire proper sleeping equipment like cribs, Bannon renamed the organization to Cribs for Kids in 2002. Their refocused initiative helps families acquire the safe sleeping knowledge and equipment they needed.