First Candle Welcomes The Boppy Company Support Of Its Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep Program

Longtime donor The Boppy Company has confirmed its 2019 support for First Candle and their mission of reducing the rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths according to First Candle CEO Alison Jacobson.  The national non-profit organization has been leading the way for over 40 years in educating parents and caregivers while providing bereavement support to families who have tragically lost a baby.  SIDS remains the leading cause of death for babies one month to one year of age.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of The Boppy Company,” Jacobson said. “Their generous contribution will enable us to expand our reach and impact, as we continue to educate families and care providers nationwide.”

Boppy’s commitment will help support First Candle’s Straight Talk for Infant Sleep training program for community health care providers, including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses, Doulas, OB/GYNs, and social workers. “We are proud to support the ongoing work that First Candle does to educate both healthcare professionals and new and expectant parents on safe sleep practices for baby,” says Nancy Bartley, CEO, The Boppy Company, “Through our program, The Momkind Project™, we are pleased to be a supportive member of the Straight Talk for Infant Sleep program with First Candle, which continues to have a positive national impact.”

“Our goal is to increase awareness by parents and caregivers of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Safe Sleep Recommendations which can reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths by nearly 50%,” Jacobson said. “Through our Straight Talk program we partner with community providers who best understand the social determinants and cultural biases that may create obstacles and objections to adopting these recommendations.  It’s important that providers understand the reasons behind the recommendations and we reinforce the need to create a dialogue with parents and caregivers to help them overcome barriers to always placing their baby in a safe sleep environment.”

First Candle’s focus on training is in alignment with Boppy’s own education efforts, including its 2018 launch of The Momkind Project™, designed to educate, empower and support moms throughout their journeys of motherhood. One of the program’s elements is to advance safe sleep practices.

“Boppy was also one of the first companies to earn the Safe Sleep Guardian designation from First Candle,” Jacobson said. The recognition is given to companies and imagemakers who adhere to safe sleep guidelines in all of their visual portrayals of infant sleep environments.

The two organizations will also conduct a webinar in the fall for parents and providers, addressing safe sleep and other child safety issues.

We are so grateful for The Boppy Company’s ongoing support.  They understand the critical importance of creating a safe sleep environment for babies, at all times,” Jacobson said, “and together we’re having an impact on the way parents and caregivers place their babies to sleep – and ultimately saving babies’ lives.”

About First Candle: First Candle, based in New Canaan, CT, is a 501c(3) committed to eliminating, through education and research, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths, including accidental suffocation. It also provides bereavement support for families who have lost a child due to SIDS, sleep-related infant deaths, stillbirth and miscarriage.  SIDS remains the leading cause of death for babies one month to one year of age.

About The Boppy Company: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Boppy Company revolutionized comfortable infant feeding and development with the iconic Boppy® Feeding & Infant Support Pillow.  Beloved by parents worldwide, the Boppy® Pillow quickly become a must-have staple for all nurseries. Boppy has stayed true to humble roots and a solution-driven mindset while expanding its portfolio of award-winning products to include baby carriers, pregnancy pillows, breastfeeding accessories, baby loungers, travel products and more. With worldwide distribution, Boppy’s global focus of Support for All Momkind® is beautifully showcased in the viral #NeverNotAMom video featuring the Boppy® ComfyFit® Baby Carrier. This year, Boppy is the chosen and exclusive nursing pillow and baby carrier partner of the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Our Royal Baby commemorative album produced by Royal Correspondent, Robert Jobson and St James’s House. This distinction is celebrated with a global #RoyallyLoved marketing campaign and video. For more information, visit www.boppy.com. The Boppy Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Artsana Group, www.artsana.com.