First Candle Partners on “Bedtime Baby, Safe and Sound” book – A New Chapter in Safe Sleep Education
At First Candle, our mission has always been to meet families where they are — with empathy, education, and support — especially in communities that experience the greatest risk of sleep-related infant deaths. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our new partnership in promoting the children’s book Bedtime Baby, Safe and Sound.
Written by Dr. John Hutton and published by Blue Manatee Press, Bedtime Baby is the latest evolution in safe sleep education through storytelling. Building on the success of the widely distributed Sleep Baby, Safe and Snug, this new title brings together updated American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, recent research, and real-world feedback from parents, pediatricians, and infant health advocates.
More than just a bedtime story, Bedtime Baby, Safe and Sound reflects the diversity of the families we serve. It includes a wider range of caregivers, cribs, and cultural contexts — all told through soothing, rhythmic text that helps lull babies to sleep while also teaching parents how to keep them safe. With a bolder color palette and easy-to-follow icon-based “dos and don’ts” on the back cover, it’s a beautiful and practical tool for new families.
This book is a perfect fit with our Let’s Talk Community Chat program, which fosters honest, community-driven conversations about safe sleep, breastfeeding, and infant care. These chats are held in trusted community settings — churches, community centers, clinics — and led by people who reflect the cultural and racial identities of the families in attendance. It’s a program built on trust, respect, and the understanding that representation matters.
We know that Black and Brown families continue to experience disproportionately high rates of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. And we know that closing this gap starts with culturally relevant education and resources that resonate — not alienate. Bedtime Baby, Safe and Sound does just that, helping us reach even more parents with life-saving information.
As part of this partnership, a portion of every book sale will directly support First Candle’s work across the country. Whether you’re a parent, pediatrician, advocate, or supporter, when you purchase this book, you’re helping us continue our mission to eliminate racial disparities in infant mortality and give every baby the chance to grow up safe and sound.