Our plans for Safer Sleep Week 2021

Safer Sleep Week fell on the week commencing 15^th March, and this year, it was all about Dads!

Dads often play a key role in the care of their baby, and in some cases, they are the primary carer. It is therefore crucial they understand how to reduce the risk of SIDS and sleep their baby safely.

The restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic may make it even more challenging to keep father’s, partners and extended family members informed of Safer Sleep key messages.

Our Welcome to the World card, developed collaboratively by Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, and in partnership with City Health Care Partnership (CHCP CIC), East Riding Council and Hull City Council, will be shared digitally with families across Hull and the East Riding this year. In addition, the cards will continue to be given out to new parents in the East Riding at their first Health Visitor post-birth appointment, for sharing within households or childcare bubbles.

Sarah Clapham, ISPHN health visitor at the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The Welcome to the World card offers services the opportunity to congratulate new parents on the birth of their baby, promote key safety messages such as safer sleep for their newborn, and act as a tool to educate other care givers on safer sleep practices. We have received wonderful feedback from first time parents especially, who have appreciated the additional support during the challenging first few weeks of parenthood.”

As part of Safer Sleep Week, we spoke to new father, Bobby Bahadori, about the joys and challenges of being a first time dad, and how learning about SIDS is something he believes to be vital to all family members. You can read the article here.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our Safer Sleep work, visit our dedicated webpage here, where you can read the full press release and download the digital Welcome to the World card for free.