Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed October as Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, joining forces with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Pace Bus. They aim to educate caregivers on the ‘ABCs’ of safe sleep: infants should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.
“We all want what is best for our children, and it’s easy to think that infants will be comforted by having a favorite toy or a blanket in the crib with them,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “However, this is the exact opposite of what should be done when putting an infant to sleep. Infants simply do not have the muscle strength to move objects away from their face or nose – and keeping toys, blankets and bottles in the crib can be deadly.”
“Tragically, two infants die every week in Illinois due to unsafe sleep,” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “The good news is, many of these deaths are preventable, and we know following the ABCs of safe sleep saves lives. Infants sleep safest when they are alone in their crib. They should never be put to sleep on an adult bed or couch, or left sleeping in a car seat or infant swing, even for a short time. I’m thankful for our continued partnership with Pace Bus in sharing this lifesaving message.”
Most sleep-related deaths occur when infants are between 1 and 4 months old, and 90% occur before an infant reaches 6 months of age. In 2023, 106 infants in Illinois under the age of 1 died as a result of being put to sleep unsafely.
To view and print the Safe Sleep placard, visit the Sleep Safety page on the DCFS website.
