Event to help infants sleep safe

By JUDD WEIL

Staff writer

A baby shower April 11 will focus on infant safety, sleep practices, and support for new families.

The Sprout baby shower, sponsored by the county health department and community partners will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Marion Community Center, 203 N. 3rd St.

The event will feature safe sleep education, hands-on demonstrations, community resources, and free portable cribs for infants younger than 1.

Program director Taylor Carpenter said the event would aim to raise awareness about sudden unexpected deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome and other sleep-related causes.

“I think most concerning is the lack of awareness,” Carpenter said. “Most caregivers know the ABCs — alone, on their back, and in a clutter-free crib — but sleep-related SUIDs is the leading cause of death by non-intentional injury for infants younger than 1.”

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 3,549 sudden unexpected infant deaths — about nine per day — were reported in the U.S. in 2023.

In Kansas, 221 were recorded between 2019 and 2023, Carpenter said. Of those, 96% involved unsafe sleep practices, and 77% occurred when infants were sleeping somewhere other than a crib or bassinet.

Common risk factors include bed sharing, tobacco use during or after pregnancy, caregiver fatigue, substance use, soft bedding, and infants sleeping on couches or adult mattresses.

Rural communities face additional challenges because many families travel outside the county for pediatric, obstetric, and prenatal care, Carpenter said.

Marion County also does not have a delivering hospital, where safe-sleep education often is provided before parents leave with their newborns.

The event will include topics such as breastfeeding, mental health, tobacco dependence, child passenger safety, injury prevention, and family wellness.

“Parents often need resources and help in adjusting to life with a newborn, even seasoned parents,” Carpenter said. “Caregivers can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Hands-on demonstrations will be included because caregivers are more likely to adopt safe sleep practices when they see them modeled, Carpenter said.

The free event will be open to parents of infants younger than 1, expectant parents, and others who help care for babies, including grandparents, siblings, babysitters, and child-care providers.

“A consistent safe-sleep message for all caregivers is the best way to ensure infant safety,” Carpenter said.

Providing portable cribs can help families that mightnot otherwise have a safe sleep space.

“Portable cribs are expensive, and lack of access to a safe sleep surface contributes to SUID deaths,” Carpenter said.