If you know me at all, you know that one of the things I am most passionate about when it comes to children and children’s products is safety. That is why, when I was approached by HALO Innovations to spread the word about their HALO Hospital Safer Way to Sleep Initiative, I jumped at the opportunity.
All new parents wish that their baby came with an instruction manual. There are so many things that no one teaches you how to do (correctly…) when they send you home with your new little bundle of bouncing baby. Sure, they tell you that your baby should sleep on their back. They make sure you are prepared with an adequate car seat. These are very important safety precautions.. but until recently one has been overlooked. Most parents do not know how to properly and safely swaddle a baby.
Yes, we see the nurses spin a baby burrito faster than we can blink, but here’s the thing about that baby burrito: When done incorrectly, that large flowing blanket can become a crib hazard. I’m sure you’ve heard of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which is often linked to unsafe sleep environments. Most of us forego pillows, fluffy blankets, stuffed animals and even crib bumpers in our cribs. We ensure our babies sleep on their backs.. But have you ever thought about the moment that your less than stellar swaddle comes loose?
HALO Innovations is dedicated to helping reduce SIDS and wants to help parents swaddle their babies safely immediately from birth. This is why they created the Safer Way to Sleep Initiative – providing Newborn Swaddle SleepSacks to hospitals in lieu of the large oversized swaddle blankets. On top of reducing the risk of SIDS, the HALO SleepSack Swaddles also are deemed safe by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Did you know that improper swaddling of a baby can have an effect in their hip development?
I have had my fair share of experience with all sorts of blankets. I’m grateful that I was shown how to properly swaddle a baby, but at the same time.. That half awake middle-of-the-night swaddle job is never quite what it was intended to be. Blankets, like the HALO SleepSack Swaddle, definitely made me feel like I was always getting a secure and safe swaddle on my baby and without as much effort. Even in the middle of the night.
I am inspired by HALO Innovations’ drive to spread the word about safer sleeping. I am also determined to get their blankets into my local hospitals.
Some fabulous facts about the HALO® Safer Way to Sleep Initiative from HALO Innovations:
HALO Innovations SleepSack® Swaddle has become the standard for hospital nurseries and parents alike. In fact, 1,000 hospital nurseries use the HALO SleepSack Swaddle instead of blankets through the HALO Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. That is 1.5 million births getting first-hand, in-hospital experience with the HALO SleepSack Swaddle and safe sleep practices! Leading health organizations agree that modeling proper baby care in the hospital is the single biggest influence on how parents care for their baby at home. HALO Innovations also offers free Safe Sleep Practices kits to childbirth educators to help further the cause of SIDS prevention.
Did any of you give birth at a “HALO” Hospital? (If so, did you know they have a Baby of the Week Contest for babies born in these hospitals?) If your hospital isn’t a “HALO” Hospital, do you wish they were? Do you wish you had more safe sleep education given to you prior to leaving the hospital?
Do me a huge favor. Spread the word about this initiative. September is Baby Safety Month and we owe it to all the little ones out there to promote safe sleep! Also.. Follow HALO Innovations on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Let them know that you support the Safer Way to Sleep Initiative!
As a thank you, HALO Innovations is providing one of you with the chance to win your own HALO SleepSack Swaddle in either a size Newborn or Small.
UPDATE: September is Baby Safety Month; HALO will donate $1 to Safe Sleep Organizations for every new Facebook “like”.
(Note: Leave a blog post comment on this post.. THEN check the box in the Rafflecopter widget!)
** Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by HALO Innovations. I was not compensated and the opinions expressed are my own. HALO Innovations has provided the giveaway.