SIDS AWARENESS MONTH

Alyssa Fraizer
4 days ago
2 min read

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and at BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC), reducing sleep-related infant deaths has been a core focus from our start.

Each year, over 3,500 babies under the age of one die from sleep-related causes in the U.S., making it the leading cause of infant mortality. Sleep-related deaths are disproportionately higher among Black babies compared to White babies.

According to Cribs for Kids’ Safe Sleep Ambassador Training, “Studies now show the majority of sleep-related deaths are caused by accidental suffocation. Accidents are preventable, so many of these deaths can be prevented.”

In 2022, BWPC launched our online Safer Sleep Training to support families and help prevent SIDS in our community. Developed with input from Black parents and caregivers and reviewed by trusted experts, this free training is available to families enrolled in our programs. It offers practical, culturally informed guidance to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

Enroll To Take our Training

Helping us strengthen our efforts, BWPC was selected as one of 40 recipients of the Safe Sleep Building Blocks Grant Program, an initiative by Cribs for Kids, Baby Safety Foundation (formerly JPMA Cares), and Safe Kids Worldwide. This grant provides essential infant safe sleep products, education, and community outreach support to help reduce sleep-related infant deaths.

Thanks to this award, we received 20 Safe Sleep Survival Kits, each including:

A Cribette play yard and sheet
A Snoozzzette wearable blanket
A Sleep Baby Safe & Snug board book
A pacifier
Safe sleep education materials

The Safe Sleep kits will be given to families who go through our training and Pregnancy Support programs.

Enroll To Take our Training

Fill out our interest form to join a pregnancy support group at BWPC here .

Explore Our Safer Sleep Resources:

BWPC’s education resources are created with the framework that parents and caregivers are already working hard to keep their babies safe. We designed our training to support their efforts and honor their expertise, while offering tools to help prevent unsafe sleep situations.