Bothwell Babies to Receive Free HALO SleepSacks

Thanks to a donation from the Bothwell Foundation, every baby born at Bothwell will go home with their very own HALO SleepSack, beginning May 1.

“We want to provide a sleep sack to every new mom to encourage them to keep their baby safe while sleeping and promote their use at home,” said Janet Bombella, director of Women’s Health at Bothwell.

By providing sleep sacks, Bothwell Regional Health Center is taking a step toward helping to reduce sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), which affects about 3,500 babies a year nationally. One factor in dropping SUID rates is through risk-reduction programs that focus on safe sleep practices. The HALO SleepSacks, which are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, are designed to keep the baby warm at night while reducing the risk of suffocation that can be caused by loose blankets or soft bedding.

“People often over-bundle their babies,” said Bombella. “They think babies need to be layered up more than we adults do. But in most cases, babies are comfortable if we’re comfortable. The sleep sack lets them move their feet and kick, but it won’t move or get tangled up or over their face.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offer these sleep-safe practices:

• Share a room but not a sleep surface with your baby for the first 6-12 months of a baby’s life.
• Place baby to sleep on her back on a firm and flat mattress.
• Keep baby’s sleep surface free of soft objects that could obstruct breathing, including plush toys, blankets and bumpers.
• Don’t smoke, especially anywhere near your baby.
• Offer your baby a pacifier at bedtime.
• Keep baby’s room well-ventilated and don’t overdress your baby, to prevent overheating.
• Breastfeed if possible.
• Ensure your baby’s up-to-date with vaccinations.