Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - Putting your baby on their back to sleep used to be enough to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
But now, doctors say there's a lot more to putting your child to bed safely.
“I knew it was becoming a risk, I heard about a lot of babies dying from that but didn't understand all the risk,” says mother Vakeisha Knight.
4-month-old Kenlea is already keeping her mother up at night.
Vakeisha is worried about if she's laying her baby down safe to sleep; protecting her from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
It’s a major concern here in Jefferson County and the Louisville Metro Health Department is helping new moms prevent SIDS through a program called ‘Healthy Start’.
Regina Moore, a Healthy Start coordinator, says parents don't know all the factors surrounding safe sleeping for their baby.
“Parents know to place the baby on back but may not understand consequences or factors that lead to sudden infant death,” says Regina.
And at Kosair Children’s Hospital parents are given pamphlets with the ABCs on how to lay their babies down safe to sleep.
“No parent thinks they would rollover on their child but it happens,” says Erika Janes of the Office of Children Advocacy.
Erika Janes says Kosair's Safe Sleeping Program gives tips for safe sleeping, making it easier for parents.
“We lose every month at least one baby, maybe two, to unsafe sleeping conditions,” says Erika.
Kosair Children’s Hospital says the best prevention for SIDS is education and making sure babies’ surroundings are safe for sleeping.
Parents should use a one-piece sleeper and try to introduce a pacifier into the sleep regiment allowing involuntary muscle movement, which helps the baby continue breathing while sleeping.
Kosair wants you to follow the ABCs of safe sleeping:
A is for alone; that means there's no pillows, toys or people around your baby while they're asleep.
B is for back; put your baby on their back unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
C is for crib; make sure your child is sleeping in their crib, not in car seats, beanbags or waterbeds.
For more information on safe sleeping for babies, you can call 629-KIDS.
