Montgomery County Recognizes October as ‘Safe Sleep Awareness Month’ with Events to Promote Safe Infant Sleep Practices

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 1, 2024

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Child Health (MCH) programs are recognizing October as “Safe Sleep Awareness Month” with a series of events to promote safe infant sleep practices. The programs work to educate parents and caregivers on ways to protect babies during sleep by reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.

The County health programs will promote the #ClearTheCrib challenge throughout October in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health's Safe to Sleep campaign. This challenge helps educate parents and caregivers about maintaining a safe and clear crib environment for infants. Click here to view a video about the #ClearTheCrib challenge.

“Protecting the health and safety of infants is very important throughout the year and Safe Sleep Month is a good opportunity to educate parents and caregivers about safe sleep practices,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “By educating the community, we can help prevent the heartbreaking loss of infant lives. I encourage parents and caregivers to participate in Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the #ClearTheCrib challenge. Together, we can make a difference for our children’s future."

A safe sleep environment is critical to lowering the risk of sleep-related deaths in infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following recommendations to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Always place babies alone, on their backs and in a crib for all naps and nighttime sleep.
• Use a firm, flat and non-inclined sleep surface. Babies should sleep only in a crib, bassinet or pack and play. Avoid using strollers, car seats, “bouncy chairs” or swings for sleep.
• Keep soft, loose bedding out of the crib. Avoid blankets, pillows and crib bumpers.
• Room share, but do not bed share. Parents are encouraged to have the baby sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed.
• Breastfeeding or providing human milk is recommended when possible. Breastfed babies tend to wake more frequently and develop stronger immune systems, which helps reduce the risk of SIDS.

The Babies Born Healthy (BBH) Program, the Montgomery Perinatal Program (MPP) and the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes (IPO) Program, along with the Child Fatality Review Team (CFR), will host several community events to raise awareness of safe infant sleep practices.

The events will feature live safety demonstrations. Attendees will be able to try the #ClearTheCrib challenge for themselves. Prizes and giveaways will be available for all participants. Individuals are encouraged to share their photos and videos using the #ClearTheCrib hashtag.

Event details:

• Sunday, Oct. 6. Noon-5 p.m. Hispanic Heritage Month Fair and Festival: Ama Tu Vida, Ama Tu Herencia. Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Dr., Wheaton.
• Tuesday, Oct. 8. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Veterans Plaza. 1 Veterans Pl., Silver Spring.
• Thursday, Oct. 10. 10 a.m.-noon. Germantown Health Center Lobby. 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.
• Thursday, Oct. 10. 10 a.m.-noon. Silver Spring Health Center Lobby. 8630 Fenton St., Silver Spring.
• Tuesday, Oct. 15. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center Lobby. 1319 Apple Ave., Silver Spring.
• Wednesday, Oct. 16. 9 a.m.-noon. Wheaton Recreation Center Lobby. 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton.
• Thursday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m.-noon. Germantown Health Center Lobby. 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.
• Thursday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m.-noon. Silver Spring Health Center Lobby. 8630 Fenton St., Silver Spring.

For more information on Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the upcoming events, call 240-777-3118.

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Release ID: 24-432
Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel 240-962-1506
Categories: Education, Health