City of Columbus

A Healthy and Safe First Year of Life

Safe Sleep

On average a baby dies every other week in our community due to unsafe sleep practices. Sleep-related deaths are a leading cause of death for babies who are one month to one year and a major reason for Franklin County’s high infant mortality rate.

Too many babies die in unsafe sleep environments, and many of these deaths are preventable. That's why it's so important to follow the ABC's of Safe Sleep.

	ALONE	Babies should always sleep alone and in an empty crib.
	BACK	Babies should always sleep on their backs.
	CRIB	An empty crib, with a firm mattress and fitted sheet is safest.

Cribs for Kids

The Cribs for Kids® program provides portable cribs (also called pack ‘n plays) for FREE to families who meet requirements, along with safe sleep education and a demonstration on correct usage. If you need a portable crib for your baby, call 614-645-3111.

A Pack 'n Play is easy to use,  view our how-to video here!

Benefits of a Pack 'n Play
- It can be used until a child reaches 30 pounds and 35 inches, often beyond 12 months of age.
- It folds up and is easy to take with you
- It can be used when the baby is sleeping or as a playpen when a baby is awake.
- It has a strong safety record.

Pack n' Play meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) safety guidelines, including: a sturdy bottom and wide base, smooth surfaces without hardware that sticks out, legs with locks to prevent folding while in use, and a firm, tight-fitting mattress.

Safe Sleep Tips for New Moms

If you have lost a pregnancy or an infant, find local grief resources here.

Visit the Campaign Materials page to view and download Safe Sleep educational materials.

Smoking Smoking is widely known to be a leading cause of preventable death of infants under the age of 1. Women who smoke during their pregnancy are more likely than those who don’t to have a baby born too small, too soon or to lose a baby to a sleep-related death. Once a baby is born, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the baby’s chances of a sleep-related death.

Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is an important step in giving our babies a healthy start in life. And it’s estimated that more than 900 infant lives per year may be saved in the United States if 90% of mothers exclusively breastfed for 6 months.

Breast milk helps reduce the risk of illness, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity, and childhood cancers; and helps develop the brain and nervous system. It also benefits the mother. Moms that breastfeed have reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing breast milk only for the first six months of a baby’s life, then gradually adding solid foods while continuing breastfeeding until the baby’s first birthday. After that, breastfeeding can be continued, and while it is the mother’s choice – any amount of breast milk is encouraged.

To help moms to begin and continue exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, it’s recommended that they:
Start breastfeeding within the first hour of life
Give baby no food or drink other than breast milk, unless there is a medical need
Sleep in the same room as the baby, but not on the same bed, couch or chair
Breastfeed on demand - that is as often as the baby wants, day or night
Give no bottles or pacifiers
Learn More

Support and resources are available to help breastfeeding mothers succeed through programs where they can talk to other moms, support groups, and home visiting programs.
Find Local Support

Injury Prevention It’s a big world for babies, and it’s our job to keep them safe. Car seats can be hard to get in your car the right way, and there are so many ways a baby can be unintentionally injured in a home, especially when you are busy caring for a new baby. CelebrateOne partners offer help to make sure your world is a safe place for baby.
Find Resources

First Year Checklist