The Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin will give away safe infant sleeping bags in exchange for crib bumper pads on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee County Zoo’s Family Free Day, sponsored by North Shore Bank and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
“Last year in Milwaukee, 20 babies died while sleeping, and most were in unsafe sleep environments,” said Dr. Jason Jarzembowski, Ph.D. of the Children’s Hospital’s Safe Sleep Initiative. “By following the ABCs of safe sleep—babies should be Alone, on their Back, and in an empty crib or playpen, we can prevent many of these tragedies.”
Children’s will offer a free infant sleeping bag to anyone who turns in a crib bumper pad, which reports show can lead to suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Some bumpers also reduce the flow of fresh air in a baby’s crib.
“We are supportive of safe sleep efforts and pleased to partner with Children’s Hospital,” said Laura Pedriani, public affairs and services director at the Milwaukee County Zoo. “We have been hosting free days for over 15 years and often draw upward of 30,000 visitors in a day.”
