Protecting Our Future: A Decade of Promoting Infant Safe Sleep

Marking ten years of empowering new parents with information on how to help their babies sleep soundly and safely, Franklin County Children Services celebrated National Infant Mortality Awareness Month in September with the unveiling of a new “ABCs of Safe Sleep Onesie.” 

Both babies and community partners are loving it.

"These are perfect gifts to educate families on safe sleep,” said Heidi Weaver-Smith, Executive Director of the Little Bottoms Free Store. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Franklin County Children's Services and their provision of Safe Sleep onesies to support our families.”

Ten years ago, outreach staff at FCCS recognized the need for a tangible reminder to promote safe sleep practices. From the initial design phase to the distribution of the sleepwear, the goal has always been to keep infants aged 1 month to 1 year safer when they sleep. 

The feedback from new parents, community partners, and caregivers has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the importance of this work.

“Key to Little Bottoms Free Store's mission is providing education and support to confront the elevated rate of infant mortality in Columbus,” said Ms. Weaver-Smith. “We shared these onesies with underserved families in Columbus who attending our Little Beginnings event, a wellness event for pregnant and postpartum parents we hosted in remembrance of Infant Mortality Awareness month.”

“We also plan to tuck these safe sleep onesies into each diaper bag we give away to expectant moms throughout the year.” 

Safe sleep practices for babies are an easy and simple way to prevent one of the leading causes of death for infants under 1 year of age. According to our partners at Celebrate One, there were 17 sleep-related infant deaths in Franklin County in 2023.

As indicated on the new onesie, safe sleep is all about the ABCs: a baby is always safest ALONE, on their BACK, and in their CRIB. 

Together with community partners throughout Central Ohio, Celebrate One's Safe Sleep program takes a proactive approach by empowering families with knowledge and essential tools - including free educational materials and safe sleep training classes - to help create a community where every baby sleeps safely. Every nap, every night, every time.

“We are grateful for this unique way to educate families,” added Ms. Weaver-Smith, “while providing an adorable outfit to keep our littlest Franklin County residents warm and safe!"

Click here to learn more from our partners at Celebrate One, including videos about Safe Sleep like the one below.

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