Suburban Receives Gold Cribs for Kids® Safe Sleep Hospital Certification

Released: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 8:10 AM

Suburban Receives Gold Cribs for Kids® Safe Sleep Hospital Certification

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (MFSH) is proud to announce that it has achieved certification as a Gold Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital. This certification recognizes our healthcare team members' commitment to best practices in infant safe sleep, ensuring the highest standards of care for our youngest patients. By earning this certification, MFSH demonstrates adherence to rigorous guidelines established by the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.

Cribs for Kids is a national safe sleep initiative dedicated to reducing infant mortality. "Sleep related deaths are the number one reason we lose our babies each year-3,400 infants annually", said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids, adding, "We know that parents do at home what they see done in the hospital so modeling safe sleep and providing education to families will have an impact on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids program recognizes hospitals making this commitment."

In New York State, it is reported that more than 120 infants die from sleep-related causes each year. Unsafe sleep practices include placing infants on their stomachs or sides, or in places other than cribs, bassinets or play yards to sleep. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep and providing supervised tummy time every day.

"Our team has worked diligently to meet the requirements to earn this certification," said Judy Baumgartner, president, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. "I am proud of the dedication of the team to providing safe sleep care for our babies. We are committed to ensuring that every newborn and infant at Millard Suburban receives the highest level of care, including promoting safe sleep practices that align with the guidelines of Cribs for Kids."

Judy Bannon, CEO, and founder of Cribs for Kids explains, "The National Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program launched in 2015. It is rooted in the Safe Sleep Recommendations made by American Academy of Pediatrics and the research that demonstrates families do at home what they see done in the hospital. There are over 500 infant safe sleep certified hospitals across the country and beyond. We are proud to welcome [hospital name] to our program. It will have a profound effect on saving babies' lives."