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Safe Sleep
Why Safe Sleep is Important
Each year across the United States, more than 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly, often without a clear cause. Many of these tragic deaths, which are often referred to as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are linked to unsafe sleep environments such as placing babies to sleep on their stomachs, using soft bedding, or sharing a bed with adults. Locally, at least 10 infants in Racine have passed away from sleep-related causes since 2023.
Infant mortality (the death of an infant before the age of one year old) continues to be a public health crisis in the City of Racine as well as across Wisconsin and the rest of the United States. Far too many babies die before their first birthday due to unsafe sleep situations and other SIDS-causes. Creating a safe sleep space can significantly reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
Safe Sleep Program
The City of Racine Public Health Department offers safe sleep education and resources to ensure infants in our community are safe and have the opportunity for long, healthy lives.
The Safe Sleep Program teaches parents and caregivers how to make sure infants are as safe as possible while sleeping. For eligible participants, the Program includes resources such as:
- Educational materials
- Low-cost portable crib, also called a pack & play or play yard
- Fitted sheet for the crib mattress
- Sleep sack for the infant
Eligibility Requirements
Education and support through the Safe Sleep Program are available to any parents or caregivers residing within Racine County, WI, who have or are caring for a child under one year of age.
To receive a low-cost portable crib through the Safe Sleep Program, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Reside within Racine County and provide proof of residence (ID, Driver’s License, Utility bill, Bank Statement, Paycheck stub, or other similar documentation).
- Be either:
- 35 weeks or more pregnant (or significant other to the pregnant individual), OR
- Primary guardian/caregiver for an infant who is 6 months or younger. Proof of foster placement or guardianship may be requested.
- Have no other options for safe sleep (these include a crib, portable crib, pack & play, play yard, bassinet, or similar).
- Participate in or receive assistance from a financial aid program and provide proof (WIC, W2, BadgerCare/ForwardHealth, Foodshare/Food stamps, or similar).
- Not have received a portable crib from the Public Health Department within the previous two years.
Training Formats
The Safe Sleep Education Program is offered in two formats, in person and online, to ensure everyone who needs this information can access it in a format that works best for them.
In Person Safe Sleep Education
Call 262-636-9431 (select Option 1 for Community Health) to speak with a staff member about the Safe Sleep Program. Your information will be passed along to a Public Health Educator who will contact you to answer any questions and schedule a convenient time for your educational session.
Online Safe Sleep Education
To complete the training online, click the image or link below. To be eligible for a low-cost portable crib, you must call 262-636-9431 (select Option 1 for Community Health) to register for the program. You may complete the online learning portion prior to calling, but you must register before you can pick up the crib.
The "ABCS" of Safe Sleep
| Follow the ABCS of Safe Sleep every time your baby goes to sleep, both during naptime and at night. |  |
A: ALONE
Babies should sleep alone in their sleep area. No blankets, bumpers, pillows, stuffed animals, caregivers, other children, or pets. Babies can sleep in the same room as a caregiver, just not with the caregiver.
B: On their BACK
Babies should sleep flat on their back. Do not use any items that put the baby at an incline or an angle.
C: In a CRIB
Babies should sleep in an area designed for safe sleep (crib, bassinet, portable, crib, or baby box). Babies should not sleep on beds with parents, caregivers, or other loves ones, on couches, in recliners, in swings, or in car seats.
S: SMOKE-FREE AIR
Babies should breathe smoke-free air at all times, including in the home and in the car.
Information about Co-Sleeping
Co-sleeping is when parents or caregivers share a sleep surface with a baby. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep alone in a crib while in the same room as parents or caregivers, we understand that you may choose to share a sleep surface with your baby. Here are some tips to keep your baby safer in whatever sleep situation you choose.
If you use an adult bed with your infant:
- Make sure your baby can’t fall out of the bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.
- Never leave your baby alone in an adult bed.
- Keep all pillows and bedding away from your baby.
- Avoid using any items that could cover baby’s head or cause overheating.
- Do not allow other children or pets into the bed at the same time.
When not to co-sleep:
- Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or weighed under 5 ½ pounds at birth.
- Your baby suffered injury during birth.
- Your baby is sick (current or chronic).
Infants in the above groups are more sensitive and potentially more fragile, meaning co-sleeping poses a greater risk of harm for your baby. In these cases, it is best to stick to the ABCS of safe sleep.
- You or anyone in the bed has recently had any alcohol.
- You or anyone in the bed smokes.
- You or anyone in the bed has taken any medication or drugs that make you feel sleepy.
Use of substancesA kind of matter with a specific composition and properties such as in the above situations can impact the adults’ sense of awareness, so you might not notice if you roll onto your baby. SubstancesA kind of matter with a specific composition and properties can also cause deeper sleep, making it harder for you to wake up to a baby’s cry or other distress signals.
Never sleep on a couch or in a chair with your baby. This can increase the risk of SIDs by as much as 50 times.
If you have questions or would like more information
PublicHealth@cityofracine.org
262-636-9431
