A new program promoting safe sleep practices for babies is coming to Vancouver Island next month.
The Baby Bed program is a safe sleep initiative that provides a free bed with solid walls, a firm mattress and fitted sheet for newborns and care items to get a healthy start in life.
First introduced in Finland in 1938, baby beds helped drastically increase the countryB次元官网网址檚 infant survival rate. While B.C. has one of the lowest rates of infant mortality in Canada, sleep-related factors are the leading cause of death in healthy infants.
New baby bed program on Vancouver Island promotes safe sleep
B次元官网网址� Island Health (@VanIslandHealth)
B次元官网网址淲e all want a healthy infancy for our babies,B次元官网网址� said Dr. Charmaine Enns, medical health officer with Island Health. B次元官网网址淏aby beds provide a safe sleep option as well as visible reminder of safe sleep practices during infancy, which includes putting your baby to sleep on their back on a firm, uncluttered surface.B次元官网网址�
Women who are pregnant or families with a new baby up to three months old are eligible for a free bed, which can be used until they are up to four to five months old or when they begin to roll over.
Participants must register at and watch an online baby care video to earn a certificate, which must be presented to their local health unit to receive a free bed.
Residents in the Capital Regional District are able to pick up their baby beds at the Victoria Public Health Unit beginning Oct. 1.
For more information, visit .
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