Safe Sleep Work Groups

In the United States, a major contributor to infant deaths are unsafe sleep practices. In Indiana, unsafe sleep related deaths contributed to 18.3% of infant Mortality. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), along with birth defects, tied as the number one causes of infant deaths in Marion County, IN. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is a term that describes any sudden and unexpected death whether explained or unexplained that occurs during infancy.

The Indianapolis Healthy Babies Fetal Infant Mortality Review (IHB-FIMR) Program identifies the prevention of SUID cases as a major strategy to improve infant mortality in Marion County, IN. These infant deaths can be prevented by following the safe infant sleep guidelines advocated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The A, B, Cs of infant safe sleep include infants sleeping Alone on their Back and in a Crib. Helping infant caregivers to understand how the A, B, Cs of infant safe sleep prevent infant suffocation deaths is a goal of the Safe Sleep Work Group of the IHB-FIMR Program.

The Safe Sleep Work Group of the IHB-FIMR Program is divided into four population groups of safe sleep education: Youth, Moms, Dads and Grandparents. These are the main caregivers of infants. Each group addresses the safe sleep education needs of their population by developing education handouts and conducting safe sleep education. The FIMR Teams include many members from local maternal child health agencies, hospitals and other community partners who are involved with safe sleep education in the care of their families.

There are many partners in Marion County and through the state of Indiana that work to educate and encourage infant safe sleep. MCPHD Healthy Families, Indianapolis Healthy Start, Community Based Care Public Health Nurses and Social Workers are focused on safe sleep education whether in classes or on home visits. The Indiana Department of Health provides free resources and training for infants’ safe sleep. Nurse Family Partnership, We Care, Birth Doulas and FireFly are partners in safe sleep education. Community Health Centers in Marion County including HealthNet, Jane Pauley, Raphael Health Center and other hospital associated community health centers work to decrease infant mortality.

Safe Sleep Flyer English PDF
Safe Sleep Flyer Spanish PDF
Safe Sleep Flyer Haitian Creole PDF
Safe Sleep Flyer Hakha Chin PDF
Safe Sleep Flyer Burmese PDF

For further information on infant safe sleep classes and health education or if you would like to join one of the safe sleep work groups, please contact [email protected]