Beaufort County Medical Center and the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation will partner to give onesies to every baby born at the Medical Center in October for National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month. Each onesie has an attractive safe sleep message, "Stomach to Play, Back to Sleep, For Baby's Safe Sleep." These onesies remind parents and caregivers that placing a baby on his back to sleep for the first year of life is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.

    In 2009, SIDS accounted for 98 deaths in children under one year of age in North Carolina. In addition to SIDS deaths, many babies die from accidental suffocation and strangulation. These preventable deaths are often related to babies being placed in unsafe sleep environments such as couches, sleeping with parents, or surrounded by excess bedding, according to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The safest place for a baby to sleep is alone in a crib or bassinet close to a parent or caregiver.

    NCHSF, in collaboration with the N.C. Division of Public Health, coordinates the N.C. Infant Safe Sleep campaign. Since 1994, the campaign has educated families, childcare providers, health and social service providers and policy makers about steps they can take to reduce the risk of SIDS. As part of its hospital (HOPES) initiative, NCHSF will send 35 "Stomach to Play, Back to Sleep, For Baby's Safe Sleep" onesies to Beaufort County Medical Center for anticipated October births.

    Safe sleep tips for new parents include:

�  Put your baby on his/her back to sleep for naps and at night
�  Use a firm mattress for baby's crib
�  Keep pillows, comforters and soft blankets, stuffed animals and toys out of the crib
�  Baby should sleep in his or her own crib
�  Do not let anyone smoke near your baby
�  Breastfeed your baby: it can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%, as well as many other benefits
�  Keep baby and the room temperature comfortable (68˚ - 75˚F) - not too hot

    Joyce Baker, Nurse Manager of Women's Services, arranged for Beaufort County Medical Center to receive the onesies. NCHSF Infant Safe Sleep Coordinator, Marta Pirzadeh, has been leading the hospital outreach effort.

    "Hospital staff is provided many opportunities to educate new parents and model safe sleep behaviors," says Pirzadeh. "We are thrilled that new parents will leave Beaufort County Medical Center with information to help their babies sleep safely once they get home."

    Since 2007, HOPES has provided infant safe sleep resources to more than 45 hospitals. This year, more than 9,000 babies are expected to leave hospitals with the onesies. For more information, visit www.NCHealthyStart.org, or call 919-828-1819.