CT PAID LEAVE BENEFITS ALLOW NEW PARENTS NEEDED RECOVERY TIME RESULTING IN SAFER SLEEP
October is Safe Sleep Awareness month
Hartford CT — Connecticut’s Paid Leave program reminded Connecticut workers that program benefits are available for individuals seeking income replacement when they, or a member of their family, experience a serious health condition or are starting or expanding their family. Taking enough time to recover post-birth or adoption allows new parents to establish and adjust to the sleeping schedule and results in less likelihood of unsafe sleep situations. October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month and for those who lose a child to SUIDS, benefits may also be available for parents who need to take time off from work to seek medical and mental healthcare. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome or SUIDS is the term used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby younger than 1 year of age that doesn’t have a known cause, even after a full investigation. About 3,600 deaths from SUIDs occur in the United States every year. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and other deaths from unknown causes. While SIDS cannot be prevented, a 50% reduction in the rate of SUIDs can be achieved with safe sleep practices.
“Any new parent will tell you that those first few months are exciting but also exhausting,” said Erin Choquette, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority. “Paid leave allows parents to receive income replacement while they take time off from work to adjust to the new routine, including establishing a regular sleep routine for them and their child. Parents who lose a child to SUIDS may seek out the help of a physician or mental health professional to help them process their grief and may be eligible for income replacement through the program. This allows them to focus on recovery without having to worry about the bills during their difficult time.”
Sudden unexpected infant deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area. Sometimes, exhausted parents bring babies into bed with them unaware that the risk of strangulation or suffocation is elevated by the bed sheets, blankets and pillows. With paid leave, parents can take advantage of the time off from work to care for their baby and get the safe sleep they need.
“My son Connor died in 1997 of SIDS when he was a little over 3 months old,” said Alison Jacobson, CEO of First Candle, a national nonprofit committed to the elimination of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths through education, and providing support for grieving families who have suffered a loss. “The reality is a lot of these deaths are accidental suffocations. Thankfully, there are things we can do to prevent these deaths from happening, including availing yourself of paid leave so you and the new baby can take the time needed to sleep safely.”
Experts advise taking the following safe sleep steps:
1. Babies should be placed on a firm and flat (not propped up or inclined) surface with a tight-fitting sheet on his/her back for every nap time and bedtime.
2. What does that mean? Baby should be alone, without pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or even bumpers. Nothing but baby.
3. Not every mom is successful or chooses to but, if you do, it’s important to stay awake when you’re breastfeeding. Sit up in bed, set an alarm or ask someone to help you stay awake.
4. To test if a surface is too soft, press your hand down and then lift it up. If your hand leaves an indentation, it’s too soft.
5. Swings, car seats and infant carriers are great for supervised awake time but not for sleep. Baby’s chin can fall onto his/her chest and cause the airway to close.
6. It’s cozy to lay with your baby on a couch or armchair but if you’re tired, put your baby in his/her crib, bassinet or play yard. Baby can roll off you and get wedged in between the cushions or fall to the floor.
To learn more about SUIDS and First Candle, please visit https://firstcandle.org/
For more information about CT Paid Leave and how to apply, please visit www.ctpaidleave.org.
