The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' Maternal and Child Health Program is conducting public awareness events during October, which is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, to educate parents about the importance of a safe sleep environment in lowering a baby's SIDS risk.

Nancy Roach, RN, the LDH Maternal and Child Health Program coordinator for the Southwest Louisiana region, will visit each of the parish health units in this region during regularly scheduled Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics to demonstrate components of a safe sleep environment and crib safety, as well as talk with mothers and answer their questions. Roach was recently chosen as a Safe to Sleep Champion by the National Institutes of Health, and she received specialized training in September at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The SIDS Awareness and Safe Sleep demonstrations will take place at the Southwest Louisiana regional health units as follows:

Cameron Parish Health Unit

Tuesday, Oct. 2

8:30-10 a.m.

107 Recreation Lane

Cameron, LA 70631

 

Jefferson Davis Parish Health Unit

Monday, Oct. 8

8-11 a.m.

403 Baker Street

Jennings, LA 70546

 

Beauregard Parish Health Unit

Thursday, Oct. 11

Noon- 2 p.m.

216 Evangeline Street

DeRidder, LA 70634

 

Allen Parish Health Unit

Tuesday, Oct. 16

12:30-2:30 p.m.

145 Hospital Drive

Oakdale, LA 71463

 

Calcasieu Parish Health Unit

Wednesday, Oct. 17

Noon- 2 p.m.

201 Edgar Street

Sulphur, LA 70663

 

Calcasieu Parish Health Unit

Friday, Oct. 26

8-11 a.m.

3236 Kirkman Street

Lake Charles, LA 70601

For more information on SIDS and how to create a safe sleep environment for your baby, visit www.GiveYourBabySpace.com.