Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, various programs and resources are dedicated to promoting safe sleep practices for infants and assisting families in accessing safe sleep environments. These initiatives aim to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related incidents by providing education and essential resources.

Safe Sleep Guidelines
To ensure the safety of infants during sleep, the following guidelines are recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for safe sleep practices:

Back to Sleep: Always place your baby on their back for every sleep until their first birthday.
Separate Sleep Surface: Babies should sleep in the same room as an adult but in their own crib, bassinet, or play yard. Avoid placing your baby to sleep on a couch, chair, waterbed, or other soft surfaces.
Crib Safety: Ensure the crib contains only a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not use crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, or toys inside the crib.
Avoid Older Cribs: Do not use cribs made more than 10 years ago or those with missing or broken parts. Learn More

Free or Low-Cost Cribs

For families needing assistance in obtaining a safe sleep space for their infants, several programs are available:

Cribs for Kids®: This national organization partners with local agencies across Pennsylvania to provide safe sleep education and distribute free portable cribs to families in need. To find a local partner and request a crib, click here

Maternity Care Coalition: Serving Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County, this program offers safe sleep education and cribs to eligible families who lack a safe sleeping space for their baby. They assist prenatal mothers within 10 weeks of their due date and caregivers with a child under eight months old. To request a crib, click here

Philadelphia Department of Public Health: Families in Philadelphia can request a crib by calling (215) 519-8640 or filling out the department's online form. Additional information is available in the city's announcement on Free pregnancy, baby, and toddler support. Learn More

Education and Support

Several organizations in Pennsylvania offer education and support to promote safe sleep practices:

PA Safe Sleep: This evidence-based hospital program provides resources such as a Safe Sleep Nursing Policy Template, staff education modules, and patient education materials to promote safe infant sleep practices. All materials are accessible at no cost from their website.

Safe Kids Pennsylvania: This organization provides information on infant sleep safety, emphasizing the importance of placing babies on their backs to sleep and ensuring they sleep in a safe crib, bassinet, or play yard. More information can be found on their Infant Sleep & Sleep Cycles page.

By adhering to these safe sleep guidelines and utilizing available resources, families in Pennsylvania can create a secure sleep environment for their infants, thereby reducing the risk of sleep-related injuries or deaths.