1. Safe Sleep Heroes
Training
This training will help more babies reach their first birthdays.

2. This training module includes potentially triggering content, including
infant loss. The MetroHealth System and First Year Cleveland believe in
the importance of this training but acknowledge that it may be difficult
for some audience members. Please, if you feel you are unable to view
this content, contact your human resources department or manager
about alternatives available to you.

3. Together We Can Help More
Babies Celebrate Their First
Birthday
• In Cuyahoga County alone, 61 babies died
before their first birthday of sleep-related
deaths between 2015 and 2017.
• This is the like of three classrooms full of
kindergarteners.
• These deaths are preventable.
• We can show you how.

4. Safe Sleep Saves Lives
This training module will teach you:
• Why so many of our babies are
dying of preventable sleep-related
deaths
• How knowing the ABCDs of Safe
Sleep can help you save a baby’s
life
• How to make a Safe Sleep space
for any baby
• What you can do to share the life-
saving message

5. First Year Cleveland: Creating Solutions Together
Founded in early 2016, First Year Cleveland (FYC) draws on the
experience of our community, including families, health systems and city
and county leaders to fight the high rate of infant mortality in our area.

6. Ranking of Sleep-Related Deaths 2008-2017
Data: Protecting Our Future, Cuyahoga County Child Fatality Report

7. Cuyahoga County Data
• There have been 61 sleep-related deaths
(2015-2017)
• Over one-third were suffocations
• Over two-thirds of babies were sleeping
with someone
• 75% of these babies were exposed to
second-hand smoke
• Cuyahoga county has averaged 21
sleep-related deaths per year

8. 2007-2016 Sleep-Related Deaths by Age of Infant
Data: Protecting Our Future, Cuyahoga County Child Fatality Report
Number of Infant Deaths
Age of Infant, in Months

9. Safe Sleep By the Numbers
• We have been averaging 21 sleep-related deaths per year for the past
five years
• Sleep-related deaths in Cuyahoga County:
• 2015: 27
• 2016: 21
• 2017: 13
• The numbers are moving in the right direction, but not EVERYONE is
getting the message. We need your help.

10. It’s as easy as knowing the ABCDs:
• A: Alone
• B: on their Back
• C: in a Crib
• D: Don’t smoke
Safe Sleep Heroes

11. A Mother’s Story
• Ramia Goodwyn, A Mother’s Story: Watch Video
• Linda Boseman, APRN-CNP, A Nurse’s Story: Watch Video

12. A: Alone
Bed-sharing is NOT
recommended for ANY baby.
Your baby should be alone in
bed, without parents, siblings,
or other kids. Remove all
blankets, pillows, crib bumpers,
bedding and stuffed animals
from the crib. These items could
suffocate your baby.

13. B: On Their BACKS
Healthy babies naturally
swallow or cough up their
spit up, so your baby will
not choke if he’s on his
back.
Sandi, Choking Clip
Watch Video

14. C: In a CRIB
• It is important to sleep in an empty
crib and use a firm crib mattress
covered only by a fitted sheet.
Many parents feel that a soft
mattress will make their baby more
comfortable, but research shows
that soft surfaces can increase the
risk of sleep-related death.
• Car seats, swings, strollers, and
other baby gear are not intended
for routine sleep.

15. D: Don’t Smoke
• Secondhand smoke puts every baby
at risk
• We know cigarettes affect and build
up in a part of the baby’s brain that
helps them wake up (the arousal
center)
• Even nicotine or cigarette smoke on
hair or clothes can impact your baby

16. A Lesson Learned: James’ Story
Watch Video

17. Be an Advocate for the Baby in YOUR Life
• Ask to see where your baby will sleep
• Make certain the crib is free of pillows, stuffed animals, bumper pads
and blankets
• Ask your caregiver or babysitter if he or she knows and practices the
ABCDs of Safe Sleep. When you know better, you can do better.
• Be sure the home is smoke-free
• Ask other parents and grandparents if they know where their baby
sleeps
• Be willing to be uncomfortable. Asking people not to smoke can be
hard. Your baby’s safety is worth it.

18. A Simple Message
Watch Video

19. What Can I Do?
Be a champion in your community.
• Engage folks you know in the conversation about Safe Sleep
• Reach in! Talk with people where you live, play, work, worship and
shop
• Talk to grandparents, too
• Check on and support pregnant neighbors
• Share what you have learned today!
Watch Video

20. Other Factors You Should Know
A few do’s to round out the don’ts

21. • Babies who breastfeed or are fed breast
milk are at lower risk for sleep-related
deaths than babies who were never fed
breast milk.
• The risk of a sleep-related death is
reduced by 45% with any breastfeeding
and 73% with exclusive breastfeeding
(AAP 2012 breastfeeding and the use of
human milk)
Source: Safe to Sleep, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services
Breastfeeding Saves Babies

22. • Consider offering pacifiers at nap or bedtime
• Only AFTER breastfeeding is well
established
• Formula-fed babies may introduce
pacifiers as soon as family wishes
• New evidence from the American Academy
of Pediatrics shows pacifiers reduce risk of
sleep-related death even in breastfeeding
infants
Pacifiers Decrease Risk of
Sleep-Related Death

23. Share a
Room, Not a
Bed

24. [Montage of ”When you know better, you
do better.”]
Watch
Video

25. Review: Which of the Following Are Safe
Sleep Practices?
• Put the baby in an empty crib or pack ‘n play for every nap and sleep
time
• Place the baby on its back for sleep
• Don’t share a bed, couch or chair with the baby
• Don’t smoke
• All of the above

26. Review: Who Can Be a Safe
Sleep Hero?
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Babysitter or caregiver
• Neighbor
• Doctor or nurse
• Everyone in the community
• All of the above

27. Review: Safe Sleep is as
Simple as ABCD!
• A: Alone
• B: On their Back
• C: In a Crib
• D: Don’t smoke
Take the pledge: Know it. Share it. Do it!

28. Thank you!

29. Adapted from training developed by
Sandra Hoch, RN, BSN, CCE and The MetroHealth System.
The Safe Sleep module and its content information is the intellectual property of The MetroHealth System and is protected by
copyright and other protective laws of the United States of America and the State of Ohio. Unless prior written permission is given
by The MetroHealth System, you may not download, copy, reproduce, redistribute, republish, display, post, or transmit the Safe
Sleep module or its content information in any means or manner.

30. The Safe Sleep module is provided for education and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing
medical advice or professional services. The information is provided on an “as-is” basis and should not be used for
diagnosing or treating a health condition. Individuals seeking medical advice should establish a patient-provider
relationship with a licensed health care provider and follow up with that particular provider. While every effort has been
made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of original publication, The MetroHealth System does not
accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omissions in the
contents of the Safe Sleep module, or from any individual or entity’s use, viewing or reliance upon the Safe Sleep module
or its content information in any manner.