December 13, 2004

Baltimore (MD) Mayor Martin O'Malley is reaching new parents throughout the city quickly and inexpensively with life'saving infant safe sleep messages printed on delightful baby t'shirts, often referred to as "onesies." The onesie, shown below, is an essential component of the mayor's ABC's of Safe Sleep Campaign, launched in October by the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Peter L. Beilenson.

Babies will benefit from O'Malley's pioneering efforts in Baltimore, where the deaths of 17 infants last year were linked to bedsharing with a parent or family member, making unsafe sleep environments (and associated suffocation) the second leading cause of infant death. In addition, three Baltimore babies died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the same year.

"Deaths related to unsafe sleep environments are preventable. We are doing everything we can to get the word out that babies who sleep with adults or other kids in bed or on the sofa are at much greater risk of death," said O'Malley. "Cribs offer the safest sleep environment. This campaign seeks to help parents protect their babies from the risk of suffocation associated with bedsharing, and also from the risk of SIDS, which has been linked to prone sleep positioning."

The ABC's of Safe Sleep Campaign onesie and a companion brochure educate new parents on the safest way for a baby to sleepÉ Alone, on his/her Back, in his/her Crib. Caring staff from the city's home visiting programs, which provide intensive case management services to high-risk, low-income families throughout the city, are using these innovative educational tools to help reinforce safe sleep messages as they counsel clients. O'Malley has also launched the Baltimore Baby Crib Fund as part of the campaign; the fund accepts tax-deductible donations from foundations, and public and private organizations, as well as from individuals. Funds are used to purchase cribs for families in need.

To date, the campaign has received significant support and attention from the press, as well as from several key organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, the Abell Foundation, the C.J.SIDS Foundation, the Safe and Sound Campaign and others. Several other cities have expressed an interest in purchasing onesies and brochures for their clients. To place an order, or for more details about the Safe Sleep Campaign, contact Karen Angelici, Director of the Infant Survival Initiative, Baltimore City Health Department, by email: karen.angelici@baltimorecity.gov, or by telephone: 410-396-3769.