Beacon Community Impact team leads local safe sleep initiative for babies

Sleep-related deaths are the leading cause of death for infants over one week old who have gone home from the hospital in St. Joseph County, accounting for about 20 percent of all infant deaths in the county.

In response, the St. Joseph County Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Community Action Team, led by Beacon Health System, launched the “Babies need to breathe” campaign in October during Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

The initiative was announced at the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Community Learning Center, with city leaders in South Bend and Mishawaka proclaiming October as Safe Sleep Awareness Month in support of the effort.

This is state grant-funded program allows Beacon Community Impact to collaborate with community partners to decrease infant mortality and stillbirths. The campaign is a two-year initiative to reduce sleep-related infant deaths to zero by 2027. The FIMR Community Action Team will share data with healthcare partners and track local outcomes for the duration of the local intiative.

Why it matters 

While St. Joseph County has made progress in lowering infant mortality, sleep-related deaths still account for roughly one in five infant deaths locally, making it the leading cause of death for babies older than one week who have gone home from the hospital, Beacon leaders said.

“We know these tragedies are preventable,” said Sally Dixon, Beacon’s Maternal Infant Health Coordinator. “Our goal is to help parents understand that safe sleep is really about helping babies breathe easily during every sleep.  Placing a baby flat on their back, without pillows or blankets, can become second nature, like using a car seat or wearing a seat belt.”  

A community-wide effort 

Through a year-round message and community partnerships, the campaign encourages parents and caregivers to follow the ABCDEs of Safe Sleep — Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, Don’t smoke, and Everyone. Each letter represents a small action that can make a lifesaving difference, Dixon said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most important thing families can do is place their baby flat on their back to sleep. This simple step keeps airways clear and gives babies the room they need to breathe safely. Babies sleep safest alone in their own crib, bassinet, or pack-’n-play, on a firm, flat surface free of blankets and soft objects. Keeping homes smoke-free further reduces risk and supports healthy breathing. 

And the final letter, Everyone, is what makes this effort truly special, because safe sleep isn’t just a parent’s responsibility. It takes grandparents, babysitters, siblings, and friends all committing to the same simple habits, Dixon said.

By sharing the ABCDEs and practicing them consistently, Dixon said our community can help every baby sleep safely and breathe easy, from their very first night home.  

Local data reveals patterns

Findings from St. Joseph County’s FIMR Program shows that most local sleep-related infant deaths share similar, preventable patterns. In many cases, infants were sleeping with one or both parents, often on an adult bed rather than in a crib or bassinet. Nearly half had been exposed to tobacco during pregnancy or at home, and almost half were less than four months old, Dixon said.

The data also shows that more than 90 percent of these families had access to a safe sleep space, suggesting the challenge isn’t necessarily a lack of resources, but making sure families have the knowledge, confidence and support to use those spaces every time their baby sleeps. 

“We know that moms, dads, and families love their babies and want to keep them safe,” Dixon said. “I hope this campaign helps our community understand that sleep-related deaths are preventable. They have the power to protect their babies by remembering and practicing the steps that help their babies breathe easy during every sleep.”   

Community involvement opportunities

Organizers of this two-year campaign are encouraging parents, grandparents, healthcare providers and friends to become Safe Sleep Ambassadors and share the message on social media, in workplaces, faith communities and neighborhood groups.

For materials or training, contact Sally Dixon via email at sadixon@beaconhealthsystem.org. Learn more about keeping babies safe during sleep at Safe Sleep – Babies Need to Breathe – Beacon Community Impact.