There has been much discussion in recent years over the safest infant sleeping practices. With the increase in SIDS cases, many infant sleep products have been heavily researched as to provide the safest possible care. One heavily debated topic has been crib bumpers. This month Oregon’s Child Welfare department has taken steps towards awareness, education, and new laws. See the press release below for the wonderful steps Oregon has taken.
“October is Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. As you know, about 40 infants die in their sleep each year in Oregon, and some of these deaths are preventable. To increase awareness and advocate for strategies we know will make a difference in preventing sleep-related deaths, we want to share two important recent efforts with you. First, in Oregon's 2021 legislative session, Senate Bill 3379, banning the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of crib bumpers, was signed into law. Crib bumpers can play a role in sleep-related deaths and as of 2011, federal regulations have changed by bringing crib slats closer together and ultimately eliminating the need for crib bumpers. Second, Child Welfare released the "Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants Self-Study for Family Serving Professionals". This safe sleep tool was created by the Child Welfare Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in partnership with family serving organizations and individuals like you. This tool is a learning opportunity for professionals working with parents and caregivers and is focused on infant safe sleep practices, recognizing safe and high-risk sleep environments and engaging families in conversations about reducing sleep related risk to the infants in their care. We encourage you to complete the self-study and to share it with your colleagues. You can access the self-study here. You can read more about both the crib bumper legislation and the self-study in a recent press release from ODHS recognizing the work of the cross-system safe sleep workgroup. Your efforts are helping to prevent sleep related infant death by raising awareness.”
We hope other states can follow this example and lead to safer sleeping environments for our infants. Click here for more information about SIDS.
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-The Baby Whisperers
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