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How Alabama Parents Can Get a Baby Box

How Alabama Parents Can Get a Baby Box

As an environmental engineer, my career involves quite a bit of safety. So much so that I am responsible for training a large portion of our workforce on safety. In general, I think I do a decent job of thinking about safety first. And by decent job, I mean stressing over the crazy things that I sometimes Google and then catastrophize. If you live with, are married to, or have procreated with an engineer, my condolences, but you understand what I mean.

When I got pregnant with my firstborn, I began to think about safety all the time. I started babyproofing our house the minute that little stick turned positive. But even after all that, there were two little words that somehow managed to evade even the best of my research: SLEEP SAFE

If it has evaded your thoughts and vocabulary, don’t worry. This post is dedicated to a quick education on safe sleeping habits, resources for more information, and a link to get a FREE Baby Box (more on that later).

Safe to Sleep

The National Institute of Health launched a public education campaign called “Safe to Sleep” to educated parents, grandparents, and other caretakers on safe sleeping habits for newborns and infants. Safe sleeping has been proven to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age.

What does a safe sleep environment look like? The NIH recommends:

  • Use a firm sleep surface such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
  • Do not use pillows, blankets, sheepskins, or crib bumpers anywhere in your babies sleep area.
  • Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.
  • Make sure nothing covers your baby’s head.
  • Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
  • Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper, and do not use a blanket.
  • Baby’s sleep area should be NEXT to where the parents sleep.
  • Baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with your, or with anyone else.
  • Do not smoke or let anyone smoke around your baby.
Baby Box Bentley
Photo credit: The Office of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley

Baby Box Debuts in Bama

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not each baby had a safe sleep environment. But the truth is that many new parents cannot afford a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play. Or many parents just have not been educated until after they’ve made a decision about where their new baby will sleep and suddenly they have to reverse that decision for another option.

In any case, there is now a FREE solution available to all Alabama families: The Baby Box!

Baby Boxes are a proven model for safe sleep and reducing infant mortality. Originally from Finland, for the past 75 years, expectant moms in that country have been given a Baby Box as a gift from the Finnish Government. The box includes a firm baby-safe mattress and serves as the baby’s first baby bed. The Baby Box is credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.

How to Get Your Baby Box

On March 29, Alabama will become the third U.S. state to launch the Baby Box universal safe sleep program in which ALL expecting and new parents in the state can receive a FREE Baby Box.

To receive your FREE Baby Box, all you have to do is the following:

  • Register for free online at www.babyboxuniversity.com as an Alabama resident.
  • Watch the 15-minute Baby Box University video.
  • Complete a short quiz and receive a certificate of completion.
  • Arrange for pickup or delivery of your FREE Baby Box HERE

Wishing all the new moms out there peaceful nights filled with SAFE sleep. Now go get your FREE Baby Box before that sweet baby wakes up!

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Safe sleeping in Alabama just got easier. Here's how parents can get their new Baby Box.


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