SafeSleep in Baltimore: Ending Sleep Related Deaths

The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) recently released an alert in the interest of the safety of infants throughout our city. Through January 1 to April 30, 2022, nine infants in Baltimore City are suspected to have died due to unsafe sleep environment, the highest number of deaths in such a short time in more than 10 years. This is following 17 infants dying in an unsafe sleep environment in 2021.

It takes a village to help to save our babies' lives, so please review the information below and share widely with your communities, colleagues, and friends.

Here are essential resources to help families have their babies sleep safely:

Teach the ABCDs of Safe Sleep: Free videos that teach the ABCDs to mothers, fathers, grandparents, and Spanish-speaking families along with FAQs and fact sheets are available on B'more for Healthy Babies' website
Promote safe sleep. We can deliver free rack cards for parents and caregivers and posters for your office and patient rooms. Please provide the number of rack cards and posters you need and email Cathy Costa at cathy.costa2@baltimorecity.gov.
Connect families who need a crib with Baltimore’s Portable Crib Program. Eligible families will receive a free portable crib and safe sleep education.
Tell parents about the Parenting Support Line. The Family Tree Parenting HelpLine is available 24/7 at 1-800-243-7337.
Refer for smoking cessation. Refer caregivers who smoke tobacco to the Maryland Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Train Your Staff. We are available to provide in-service training to your staff. To arrange an in-service training, please email Cathy Costa at cathy.costa2@baltimorecity.gov.

Promise Heights also offers assistance via Bmore for Healthy Babies UDH on Fafcebook Bmore for Healthy Babies on Instagram & Bmore for Healthy Babies on Twitter—just send a DM via their social media sites.

If you need to consult with B'More for Healthy Babies PH, they will happily provide direction and offer free workshops and virtual conversations. Again, —just send a DM via their social media sites (above.)

For support with families experiencing stress and needing support, please reach out to UMBSSW’s Family Connections Baltimore by calling their referral line: 410-706-8716

Maternal Mental Health Services for the Community:

There is a new hotline for maternal mental health developed by the Federal Health and Human Services Administration:https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/05/06/hhs-launches-new-maternal-mental-health-hotline.html

Moms can call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS and connect with a counselor at no charge.
The hotline is accessible by phone or text at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) in English and Spanish. TTY Users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line and individuals in behavioral health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).