First Candle Pilots Safe Sleep Education Program in the NICU
First Candle has initiated a pilot of its innovative Let’s Talk Community Chats program within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. This initiative is designed to educate and support families on safe sleep practices and breastfeeding, aiming to prevent Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)—with SIDS remaining the leading cause of death among infants under one year of age, particularly impacting premature babies.
Program Overview
Launched initially in Harlem in 2022, Let’s Talk Community Chats has expanded into multiple Atlanta communities. The program engages families in familiar settings through First Candle-trained facilitators, including community peers such as fathers, grandparents, caregivers, and doulas. This approach creates a collaborative environment to discuss safe sleep practices, breastfeeding, and the unique challenges families face regarding infant care.
A Collaborative Effort at Grady
Grady Memorial Hospital’s Level III NICU, which manages over 700 admissions annually and holds the Baby Friendly designation, provides an ideal setting for this program. Dr. Mattie Feasel Wolf from the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine—affiliated with Grady—explains,
“We are thrilled to expand our ongoing efforts surrounding safe sleep in the Grady NICU by bringing Let’s Talk Community Chat to our families. This is especially important given the significantly higher rates of SUID among premature babies and our commitment to ensuring optimal health for all Grady infants, both during their NICU stay and after discharge.”
A National Vision
Partnering with Grady Memorial is a first step in implementing this program around the country. “We are honored to partner with Grady Memorial as the inaugural pilot site for Let’s Talk Community Chats in NICU units. Grady Memorial’s leadership immediately recognized the transformative potential of this program in providing critical support and education to NICU parents,” states First Candle Executive Director/CEO Alison Jacobson. “By leveraging the voices of trained peer mentors who truly understand their journey, we’re creating a unique avenue to empower parents during one of the most challenging times in their lives. This partnership marks an important step toward expanding this vital resource nationwide.”
Pilot Session Highlights
The inaugural session, hosted earlier this month, engaged 13 families and was led by three First Candle-trained facilitators. Participants received vital resources—including breastfeeding support pillows, swaddles, diapers, and informational handouts. Topics covered ranged from safe sleep practices to discussions on housing, maternal mental health, and breastfeeding. The session also underscored the ongoing need for safe sleep resources, as evidenced by requests for bassinets.
Positive Impact and Feedback
Post-event surveys completed by nine birth givers indicated overwhelmingly positive outcomes:
- Comfort & Support: 100% of respondents felt comfortable and supported, with their cultural values respected.
- Addressed Concerns: All participants had their specific questions fully addressed.
- Increased Confidence: Every respondent expressed increased confidence in applying safe sleep practices.
- Helpful Information: All participants found the breastfeeding information helpful or very helpful.
- Relevant Resources: Every participant deemed the products and recommendations relevant to their needs.
Key takeaways emphasized three critical safe sleep practices: always placing the baby on their back, keeping soft objects away from the sleep area, and ensuring the baby sleeps separately. Notably, seven out of nine respondents confirmed that they had developed a safe sleep plan for their baby at home.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration with Grady Memorial Hospital marks an important milestone in First Candle’s ongoing commitment to supporting NICU families. By integrating culturally relevant, community-driven education into the NICU setting, Let’s Talk Community Chats empowers parents during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. As the program expands, First Candle and its partners will continue to refine and enhance their approach to ensure every family has access to the resources and support they need for safe, healthy infant care.