Infant Safety: Cribs, Car Seats, and Education
Taking a child He placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it He said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”
Mark 9:36-37
Catholic Charities-Diocese of Tyler established the Infant Safety Project to help combat Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The program is now divided into two sections: Cribs for Infant Safe Sleep and Car Seats for Safe Travel. Both sections contain an educational component for new parents or guardians.
Infants must have a safe place to sleep. With no crib or bassinet of their own, infants may be more susceptible to SIDS. Without a crib, mothers may be prone to placing a newborn in bed with them to sleep. Also problematic is placing a new infant in bed with siblings. If the baby is unable to move about and breathe freely in their own space, the child may be vulnerable to Sudden Infant Death.
Catholic Charities will provide a free cribette (Pack N Play) to qualifying families. Each cribette includes a mattress and crib sheet . The cribette can accommodate newborns to age 2. Instructions on the safest sleep environment are shared along with specific instructions on how to appropriately use the cribette.
Car Seats for infants weighing 4-30 lbs. are also available at no cost to qualifying parents.
Contact Catholic Charities for a cribette or car seat at (903) 258-9492 x104. They are also available through the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Fire Department, and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Social Workers.
