MMC to Host Safe Sleep Event

Event will provide sweet treats and education about infant sleep safety

Methodist Medical Center will host a free event this month to promote infant safe sleep. “Sweet Treats for Safe Sleep” will include educational games and activities focusing on how parents can keep their infants safe during sleep. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, and will include snow cones and other “sweet treats” for attendees. “Sweet Treats for Safe Sleep” is free and open to the public.

Methodist has a gold-level Safe Sleep Hospital certification from Cribs for Kids. To become gold-certified, hospitals must provide diligent education to staff and family members regarding infant safe sleep, identify families who may need additional resources and engage in community outreach initiatives.

“Our goal at the Sweet Treats for Safe Sleep event is to build a safe sleep-aware community. More people knowing about safe-sleep practices will help decrease preventable infant death,” said Cheryl Stallings, Family Birthing Center nurse at Methodist.

“Parents who give birth at Methodist receive a safe-sleep education checklist, brochures and educational handouts, and ongoing daily education. They also receive preadmission education on how to properly use a blanket, infant care and infant CPR,” said Stallings. “We also offer safe-sleep training to caregivers of infants, grandparents, foster parents and the general community.”

To ensure safe sleep and reduce baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), parents and caregivers should remember the ABCs of safe sleep:

• Alone
• On their Back
• in a Crib

In addition to safe-sleep education, the Family Birthing Center at Methodist Medical Center offers board-certified obstetricians and lactation consultants, state-of-the-art technology and birthing suites, and childbirth and parenting classes.

For more information about the Sweet Treats for Safe Sleep event, call 865-835-2268.