A program that promotes safe sleep habits for newborns is expanding on Vancouver Island.
New parents in Port Alberni and west coast communities, including Tofino and Ucluelet, can pick up a free baby bed that’s meant to ensure your infant gets a safe night’s sleep.
The bed has solid walls, a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
It was first introduced in Finland more than 70 years ago. Since then it’s decreased the country’s infant mortality rate to one of the lowest in the world at 1.8 per 1,000 babies compared to Canada at 3.0 per 1,000 and Vancouver Island at 3.9 per 1,000.
The baby bed program first launched on Vancouver Island in 2015 in the Cowichan Valley.
It will continue to be introduced in other communities across the island, according to Island Health.
“We all want to avoid a tragic event involving infants,” Dr. Charmaine Enns, a Medical Health Officer at Island Health said. “Baby beds give infants clear breathing passages, putting them in the best position to get a safe and healthy sleep.”
Infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping practices are on the rise in B.C., according to the Coroners Service.
In the last three years there have been, on average, 18 sleep-related deaths per year.
Fifteen babies have died in the first four months of this year.
The program also provides moms with a number of educational materials and items including a digital thermometer, baby books, nursing pads, lanolin nipple cream, washcloths and diapers.
Expectant parents can pick up a baby bed at their local health unit.
