Baby Sleep Basics

In the state of Florida, more children die from asphyxiation than drowning. Asphyxiation is due to co-sleeping and/or an unsafe sleep environment (e.g., placing an infant to sleep on a couch, futon, adult bed or sleeping arrangement other than crib or bassinette). The CDC reports the leading cause of injury death in the U.S. for children less than one-year-old is unintentional asphyxiation (~1,000 infant deaths annually).

Kids Central is working to stop preventable infant deaths due to co-sleeping by offering the Baby Sleep Basics Program. This program offers safe sleep education and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) information for all parents or guardians that reside in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties. If the parents or guardian have an infant under the age of one or are in their third trimester of pregnancy and meet income requirements, the parent or guardian may qualify for a pack-n-play upon completion of the educational training. Educational trainings are provided once monthly in each of the counties, or as needed on a case by case basis.

Classes are held monthly or as needed on a case-by-case basis. Attendees who meet specific income level requirements will receive a complimentary pack ‘n’ play.

In order to be eligible you must meet the following requirements:

• Be in the third trimester of pregnancy or have a child under 12 months of age;
• Have no pack and play, crib, or have a crib that is broken;
• Meet the federal poverty guidelines; and,
• Live in Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, or Sumter County.

Referrals are accepted from local agencies such as Healthy Start, Healthy Families, Health Department, as well as self-referrals. If you would like a referral form please click HERE.

For more information, please call 352-643-2050.