During Safe Sleep Week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is spotlighting its partnership with Cradle of Hope, a grantee of the Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Families Act. Cradle of Hope collaborates with 176 state organizations, including 11 Tribes, to distribute more than 200 portable cribs monthly to families in need.
MDH Spokesperson Michelle Chiezah (chee-EH-zah) emphasizes the importance of this program in reducing the risk of accidental suffocation and strangulation caused by bed-sharing.
“They distribute cribs statewide to families in need, especially those who are in need of a safe space for the baby to sleep, if they’re pregnant in the trimester or have a baby who’s under one year of age,” Chiezah explained.
Minnesota sees an average of 50 sudden unexpected infant deaths annually, nearly all linked to unsafe sleep environments. To address this, MDH reminds parents of the ABCs of safe sleep:
- A is for Alone: Babies should sleep without blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, toys, or bed-sharing.
- B is for Back: Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
- C is for Crib: Babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or portable crib designed for safe sleep.
“Those objects can increase the risk of suffocation or entrapment or overlay or strangulation if it’s like a loose blanket or sheet,” Chiezah said.
MDH encourages parents to follow these guidelines to protect infants and promote safe sleep practices.
