HCAM’s Safe Sleep Program: Delivering Cribs and Providing Safe Sleep Education to Baltimore City Residents

HCAM’s Safe Sleep Program: Delivering Cribs and Providing Safe Sleep Education to Baltimore City Residents

Infant sleep-related deaths are one of the leading causes of infant death in Baltimore City, and they are overwhelmingly preventable. 

HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) and B’more for Healthy Babies (BHB) work in collaboration to keep all babies safe during sleep, ultimately working towards preventing infant mortality. Since BHB’s launch in 2009, infant mortality has been on a downward trend in Baltimore City, and has declined by 32%.*  

HCAM’s Safe Sleep Program provides portable cribs and safe sleep education to pregnant and postpartum women in Baltimore City. In addition to safe sleep education, postpartum education and the importance of taking care of yourself is also a topic of conversation amongst Safe Sleep Coordinators and new moms. Upon referrals from individuals and hospitals, HCAM’s Safe Sleep Coordinators deliver a portable crib to Baltimore City residents in need of a safe place for every nap and every night’s sleep for their baby. 

Safe Sleep Coordinators visit the home of Baltimore City pregnant and postpartum women to:

  • Deliver a new portable crib and show moms how to put it together;
  • Show the safe sleep video and explain how to keep their baby safe when sleeping;
  • Tell moms how to sign up for HealthChoice and health insurance;
  • Provide information about family planning, smoke-free homes, and other resources.

*Image from B’more for Healthy Babies*

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, HCAM Safe Sleep Coordinators haven’t wavered in their mission and commitment to preventing infant-related sleep deaths. Our Safe Sleep Coordinators have continued educating new moms and making contact-free deliveries of cribs. 

Meeshawn, one of HCAM’s Safe Sleep Coordinators, shared insight on her role and what she enjoys most about working with Baltimore families:

“The education I provide regarding safe sleep plays a key role in the decline of infant mortality rates. One of my favorite aspect of my role as a Safe Sleep Coordinator is knowing that I play a huge part in ensuring that babies in Baltimore City will have a safe sleep environment. Another favorite aspect of my role is that the safe sleep education that I provide does not stop with mom and dad. We educate extended family members and everyone else that will play a role in these babies’ lives.” 

Since July 1, 2020, HCAM’s team of Safe Sleep Coordinators has delivered 55 portable cribs to pregnant and postpartum women in Baltimore City. 

You can help support the Safe Sleep program by donating essential baby care supplies. In addition to providing portable cribs, our team strives to provide new parents and babies with items they need, including sleep sacks, diapers, and health and safety kits. View our Amazon Charity List to donate items directly to HCAM.

Have a question or want to make a referral? Email our team of Safe Sleep Coordinators at Safesleepcribs@hcamaryland.org.

Learn more about the Safe Sleep program.

* https://www.healthybabiesbaltimore.com/data-and-research 

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