SIDS awareness group to hold safe sleep event

The Louisiana SIDS Awareness Program will visit Thibodaux Friday, Oct. 12, to host a safe sleep event.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Canal Boulevard Wal-Mart, child safety coordinators with the state Department of Health and Hospitals’ maternal and child health program will be on hand for the event. They will provide free demonstrations on safe sleeping positions for babies, tips on healthy behaviors that can decrease the risk of SIDS and education materials.

Pregnant women and those with children under age one are eligible to register to win a free baby bed and a variety of baby merchandise.

Louisiana has one of the nation’s highest SIDS death rates, according to the state DHH. Although the cause of SIDS is still unknown, studies have shown the risk of death from SIDS can be greatly reduced in several ways:

• A pacifier is recommended from the age of one-month to 1-year-old.

• Avoid bed-sharing with a baby and don’t use soft bedding.

• Place healthy babies to sleep on their backs.

• Don’t smoke when pregnant or around the infant.

• Take care not to overheat the baby.

• Breastfeeding lessens the risk of SIDS death.

For more information on SIDS, contact the program at 1-800-251-BABY or visit www.1800251BABY.org.