This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Wyandotte Hospital Helps New Moms Keep Infants Safe

Women giving birth at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital receive a free sleep sack, designed to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital is providing new moms who give birth at the hospital with a free sleep sack. The sleep sack is designed to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, SIDS is the leading cause of death among children younger than 1-year-old.

The sleep sacks are given to new moms thanks to a partnership between the hospital and the Center for Women’s and Children’s Health and Well Being in Wyandotte.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Dr. David Wolf, who heads the center, said in a written statement that the sack is essentially a blanket that the baby can wear, making it a safer alternative to using a loose blanket.

“With a loose blanket, babies can cover their face, which may lead to interference with breathing,” Wolf said. “The safe sleep sack offers a simple solution because it is fitted to the body.”

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Wolf is also the hospital’s program director of the Obstetric and Gynecology Residency Program.

Aside from using a sleep sack, Wolf also has the following recommendations for keeping infants safe:

  • Infants should be on their backs every time they sleep.
  • Keep loose bedding and soft objects like pillows, toys and blankets out of the crib.
  • Do not smoke when you are pregnant and do not smoke, or let others smoke, around the baby once he or she is born.  
  • Do not share your bed with a baby. A safer option is to keep a crib in your bedroom.
  • Encourage “tummy time” when the baby is awake.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?