Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep Program

Our Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep Program is run by First Candle for healthcare professionals.

While evidence has shown that placing a baby in a safe sleep environment every time can dramatically reduce the rate of SIDS and accidental suffocation, many parents and caregivers do not consistently adhere to these recommendations.  When looking at why this is the case, this can often be attributed to factors including economic, cultural and societal issues.  The parents’ unique circumstances and obstacles to creating a safe sleep environment are rarely addressed. Additionally, parents and caregivers have rarely been provided the reasoning or the “whys” surrounding the recommendations. Rather they’ve simply been presented as “rules.”  

Without allowing for a dialogue about the unique challenges a parent faces or follow-up to help provide solutions and support, adherence to regular pre-natal check-ups and healthy pregnancy habits, adoption of safe sleep practices and breastfeeding remains low. 

First Candle has developed the Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep Program in order to train healthcare professionals and address these concerns.

How the Program Works

Through role-play, participants will gain an understanding of how to create a two-way conversation with parents to first identify family practices and beliefs, provide accurate information about safe sleep and breastfeeding and gain acceptance of these practices and finally problem solve how it might be accomplished when there are obstacles.

Trainees will also learn how to help parents create a plan about how they can implement safe sleep and breastfeeding that considers their beliefs, values, and living and working situations, so they feel equipped to be successful.

Interested in our Straight Talk Program?

For more information on Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep or to have our trainers visit your healthcare facility, please contact Barb@firstcandle.org.