Cribs for Kids
Mission:
The goal of Cribs for Kids of Durham is to ensure a safe sleep environment for all newborns and to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
In April of 2011, Welcome Baby became a national Cribs for Kids chapter.
Welcome Baby purchases and distributes new Pack 'n Play porta-cribs to parents who need them in the Durham community. Each family receives Cribs for Kids safe sleep training before obtaining a crib.
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Eligibility:
In order to be eligible...
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Parents must receive a referral from an authorized healthcare provider or social worker.
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Children must be between the ages of 0-6 months.
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Cribs are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and contingent on continued program funding. To date, we’ve distributed over 800 cribs to Durham families.
Families in need of a crib have been identified by the following home-visiting programs:
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Family Connects Durham
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Pregnancy care managers
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Coordinated care managers
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Department of Social Services and Healthy Families Durham
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Durham Early Headstart
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Once we have received a referral, Welcome Baby staff contacts the family and arranges for a time to receive their safe sleep education session and pick up their Pack 'n Play. Families are encouraged to donate back the Pack 'n Play once they no longer have a need so we may pass on to other families who might not afford the co-pay. Families take ownership in the program by contributing a $20 co-pay to cover the shipment of each crib.
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Why Cribs for Kids?
The sudden and unexpected death of a newborn infant known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the most tragic events that a new family can experience, but unfortunately, it happens all too frequently.
In 1994, acting on research gathered from Europe and Australia, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other major U.S. health organizations launched the national Safe to Sleep campaign, which endorsed and promoted the placement of infants on their backs both for sleeping and napping.
This highly successful campaign changed the behavior of many new parents and resulted in a documented decrease of SIDS by over 50% since its inception.
The AAP has recognized additional factors in an infant’s sleep environment. Placing an infant to sleep on a soft bedding surface, such as an adult bed or sofa, increases the risk of that infant dying five-fold compared to a baby who sleeps on a firm crib mattress. The safest way for a baby to sleep is on its back, alone in a simple, safe crib.