The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Memorial Medical Center and other members of Illinois Medical Community joined together for a morning press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 1st to educate parents and caregivers about the leading cause of death for children ages one and younger – accidental sleep suffocation.

The press conference was held at Memorial Medical Center’s Family Maternity Suites in Springfield. Health officials demonstrated what a safe sleep environment looks like. “Our message is simple but so important. We hope to teach as well as remind parents and other caregivers about the ABC’s safe sleep: babies should always sleep alone, on their backs in a safe crib,” says Bobbie Gregg, acting director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. “A safe sleep environment is a crib with a firm mattress covered by a tightly-fitted sheet that is free of stuffed animals, toys, blankets, bumpers and all other potential hazards.”

“As hospitals increasingly focus on population health, the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA) and the hospital community understand the critical need for one of our most vulnerable populations, our infants, to be placed in safe sleeping situations,” says Illinois Hospital Association President and CEO Maryjane Wurth. “IHA has been a partner with DCFS, and works to inform hospitals about crib product recall notices that can be posted in hospital locations visible to new parents before they go home with their infants.”