Experts say parents should remember the ABCs when it comes to safe sleeping; infants should be Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News is On Your Side with safe sleeping techniques for infants after police found a 10-week-old child unresponsive in a Jacksonville home Saturday afternoon.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the 10-week-old baby girl was found unresponsive in a home on Jacksonville’s Westside Sunday afternoon and was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police believe the baby died due to “co-sleeping.”
Experts say parents should remember the ABCs when it comes to safe sleeping; infants should be Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib.
As a mother herself, Faye Johnson, director of the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, knows raising a new baby can be a challenge.
“Well, the stress of having a new baby and wanting your baby close to you so you can protect your child is some of the things we hear from our participants. We also know that there might not be resources that the baby where the baby would have a separate crib,” Johnson, said.
The Florida Department of Health reports that from 2018-2022 nearly 16% of infant deaths in Duval County were caused by sudden unexpected infant deaths, a majority of which were sleep related.
Experts say the risk is highest for infants under four months old.
“By sleeping or co-sleeping with the baby, you can inadvertently roll over on the child, cover may cover the child when you cover yourself you may end up covering the baby,” Johnson, said.
Prevention starts with having sleep routines that keep your child safe.
“The ABC are Alone, on their Backs and in a Crib. So we want them to be in this area on a nice firm mattress. The bottom sheet nice and tight. We’re going to use a sleep sack, and this will be the only thing the baby needs,” Kathy DuPont, a member of the Healthy Start Coalition, said.
Families can contact The Healthy Start Coalition for more education on safe sleeping. The coalition is starting an educational campaign and gifting free packs and plays to those who can’t afford cribs.
Anyone can call 904-723-5422 or head to the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition website here.
