The Baby Sleep Basics Program is offered to families that reside in Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus or Hernando counties. Through this program families are able to receive SIDS and safe sleep education for their children that are under one year of age; if income requirements are met the family may qualify for a free crib. Educational sessions are provided once monthly in each of the counties, or as needed on a case by case basis.
What is SIDS?
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of an infant that remains unexplained after a complete autopsy and death scene investigation.
- SIDS is the number one cause of death for infants between the ages of one month and one year.
- SIDS, sometimes also known as “crib death,” strikes over 3,000 families each year.
- More babies die of SIDS than will die of AIDS, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancer, pneumonia, child abuse and childhood heart disease during their first fourteen years.
What SIDS is not:
- SIDS is NOT caused by abuse or neglect.
- SIDS is not caused by suffocation, vomiting or choking.
- SIDS is not contagious.
- SIDS is not hereditary.
- SIDS is not caused by baby shots, vitamin deficiency or hormone imbalance.
- SIDS is not caused by allergies or infection.
- SIDS is not caused by a sleeping parent rolling over on a baby.
In order to be eligible you must meet the following requirements:
- Be in the third trimester of pregnancy or have a child under 12 months of age;
- Have no pack and play, crib, or have a crib that is broken;
- Meet the federal poverty guidelines; and,
- Live in Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, or Sumter County.
Referrals are accepted from local agencies such as Healthy Start, Healthy Families, Health Department as well as self referrals. If you would like a referral form please click HERE.
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