Cribs for Kids
Akron Children's Cribs for Kids Program
Akron Children's collaborates with community agencies in Summit, Medina, Portage, and Wayne counties to provide portable cribs to eligible families that do not have a safe place for their baby to sleep. The program educates parents and caregivers on infant safe sleep practices including portable crib assembly, to reduce the risk of sleep-related injury and death.
Eligible families will receive one portable crib per baby (multiples would each receive their own sleep space). For in-hospital patients, if it is determined that an infant does not have a safe place to sleep, a portable crib may be obtained. The Cribs for Kids program is subject to the availability of funds and funding requirements.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must not have a safe sleep space (crib/pack 'n play) or the ability to obtain one
- Must be legal or custodial guardian
- Must be benefit eligible (WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
- Must be at least 32 weeks pregnant or have a child under 1 year of age
- Must receive safe sleep education and complete required paperwork
For more information on the Cribs for Kids Program or safe sleep presentations and materials (brochures, flyers, door hangers, and/or posters) contact: Cesley Hegyi, Injury Prevention Specialist, ODH Safe Sleep at 330-543-5419 or chegyi@akronchildrens.org
Baby Safe Sleep Tips
The tips below have been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS and deaths due to unsafe sleep. All family members, friends, childcare provides and babysitters should follow these recommendations every time a child sleeps.
- Place your baby to sleep in the same room you sleep, but NOT the same bed or sleep surface.
- Always put babies to sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a bare Crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that meets current safety standards.
- The bed should be flat with a firm mattress and a tight fitted sheet. Do not put a plastic cover over the mattress.
- Do not put toys, stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads, blankets or anything else in bed with your baby. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby.
- Babies should be dressed in a t-shirt or onesie and a sleeper and/or sleep sack if needed.
- Babies up to 1 year of age should always be placed on their back to sleep during naps and at night.
- Breastfeed as much as you can for as long as you can, this helps reduced the risk of SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the sole nutrition for the first 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby’s diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. You can continue to breastfeed after 12 months if you and your baby desire.
- Schedule and go to well-child visits.
- Keep your baby away from smokers and places where people smoke.
