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Safe Sleep
ABCs of Safe Sleep
Always remember:
A – Alone
B – Back
C – Crib
Key Safe Sleep Practices
1.
Always place baby on their BACK to sleep
For every sleep: naps and night.
Greatly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
2.
Use a firm, flat sleep surface
Only use a certified crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard.
Mattress should be firm and fit snugly with a tight-fitting sheet.
No wedges, positioners, or soft bedding (pillows, blankets, bumpers).
3.
Keep the crib empty
No stuffed animals, loose blankets, toys, or crib bumpers.
Use a wearable blanket or sleep sack for warmth instead.
4.
Room-share without bed-sharing
Baby should sleep in your room (ideally for the first 6–12 months), but in a separate sleep space.
Bed-sharing increases risk of suffocation and SIDS, especially in:
Infants under 4 months
Babies born preterm or low birthweight
When adults are overly tired or have taken medications/alcohol
5.
Breast/chestfeeding reduces SIDS risk
Exclusive feeding for at least first 6 months provides protective benefits.
If chestfeeding/breastfeeding at night, return baby to their own sleep surface after feeding.
6.
Avoid overheating
Dress baby in light layers; room temp should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
No hats indoors after first few hours unless medically advised.
7.
Offer a pacifier at sleep time
Pacifier use at naps and bedtime can reduce the risk of SIDS.
If breastfeeding/chestfeeding, wait until it’s well-established (around 3–4 weeks).
8.
No smoking or vaping
Maintain a smoke-free environment during pregnancy and after birth.
Exposure to secondhand smoke increases SIDS risk.
9.
Supervised tummy time daily
Start with a few minutes a day while baby is awake to build strength and prevent flat head syndrome.
Always supervised and when baby is awake.
Avoid These Unsafe Practices
Sleeping in a car seat, stroller, swing, or carrier for routine sleep.
If baby falls asleep in one, move them to a firm sleep surface as soon as possible.
Co-sleeping/bed-sharing, especially with blankets, pillows, or soft surfaces.
Inclined sleepers, loungers (e.g., Boppy), or items not approved for infant sleep.
Summary: Safe Sleep Checklist
Safe Practice
Unsafe Practice
Baby on back
Baby on side or tummy to sleep
Firm, flat sleep surface
Inclined sleepers or soft mattresses
Bare crib (no extras)
Pillows, toys, blankets, bumpers
Room-sharing only
Bed-sharing
Use a sleep sack
Loose blankets or swaddles after 2 mo
Pacifier for sleep
No pacifier in unsafe setting
Daily tummy time (awake)
Baby in container all day
Free Portable Crib + Safe Sleep Education
HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) + B’more for Healthy Babies
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Delivers portable Pack‑n‑Play cribs to qualifying families (pregnant ≥36 weeks or baby <8 months and ≤24 lb) in Baltimore City.
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A Safe Sleep Coordinator visits your home to:
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Assemble the crib and review the ABCDs of safe sleep: Alone, Back, Crib, Don’t smoke
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Provide videos, printed resources, and referrals to WIC, Medicaid, family planning, smoking-cessation .
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To apply: call 410‑649‑0500 (option 2) or email safesleepcrib@hcamaryland.org .
Promise Heights / B’more for Healthy Babies
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Partnered with HCAM to connect families to HCAM’s Portable Crib Program.
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Offers free educational materials, videos (also in Spanish), and rack cards—plus referrals to smoking-cessation and parenting resources .
Touching Young Lives (Portable Alternative Crib Program)
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Provides Portable Alternative Cribs (P.A.C.) and in-home follow-ups at ~6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months postpartum.
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Referral-based program through Baltimore-area hospitals, covering city and nearby counties .
Cribs for Kids via Local Clinics
Chase Brexton Health Care
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Serves low-income Baltimore City residents.
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Call 410‑649‑0526 to apply for a Cribs for Kids Pack‑n‑Play crib and receive safe-sleep guidance in collaboration with city partners .
Parenting & Safe Sleep Education
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HealthCare Access Maryland offers home visits that include safe-sleep guidance as part of care coordination services .
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State-level resources (Maryland Department of Health) provide parent education materials and videos on safe sleep and SIDS prevention, including Spanish versions .
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National-style resources: Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Academy, Safe to Sleep Campaign, NIH & AAP videos, and printed brochures available statewide .
Quick Reference Table
Program
What You Get
Who Qualifies
Contact
HCAM + BHB Portable Crib
Pack-n-Play, home visit, ABCD education
Baltimore City, pregnant ≥36 weeks or baby <8 mo, low-income/WIC/SNAP
410‑649‑0500 / safesleepcrib@hcamaryland.org
Promise Heights
Crib referral, materials, rack cards
City residents via partner agency
Through Promise Heights website/social
Touching Young Lives
P.A.C. crib & follow-ups
Hospital-referral in Baltimore (+ neighboring counties)
Via hospital referral
Chase Brexton (Cribs for Kids)
Pack-n-Play + safe sleep guidance
Low-income city residents
410‑649‑0526
MDH / National Resources
Videos, printed guides, training materials
Open to all caregivers
MDH website links
Next Steps
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Call or email HealthCare Access Maryland at 410‑649‑0500 to request a crib and home visit.
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Contact Chase Brexton (410‑649‑0526) for Cribs for Kids support.
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Ask your hospital about Touching Young Lives referrals upon discharge.
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Explore MDH and Cribs for Kids online for free safe-sleep materials and training.
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Share with everyone who helps care for your baby—grandparents, babysitters, etc.—so all know the ABCDs of safe sleep.
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