TMH Recognized as Only Facility in Big Bend to Earn Top Infant Safe Sleep Certification

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has become the Big Bend region’s first facility recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a National Certified Gold Safe Sleep Champion – the highest level of infant safe sleep certification.

With a goal to support local families and prevent the unfathomable loss of a child, Tallahassee Memorial has earned the designation by advocating for and implementing best practices and education on infant safe sleep.




Accidental sleep-related death (SDR) claims the lives of more than 3,500 infants in the United States every year. In 2019 alone, Florida saw more than 190 sleep-related infant deaths, nine of which happened in North Florida. The common thread between many of these tragic losses was the conditions in which the infants slept.




The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, the only national infant safe sleep organization dedicated to preventing infant SDRs due to accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, TMH follows the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and provides training programs for healthcare colleagues and family caregivers.




“Modeling safe infant sleep and providing education to families in the hospital has a significant impact on reducing infant mortality,” shared Kim Outlaw, BSN, RN, Administrator for Women’s & Children’s Services at TMH. “Our ongoing partnership with Cribs for Kids demonstrates to our community we are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths and gives us the resources we need to continue providing invaluable safe sleep tools to parents and caregivers.”




In addition to earning the National Certified Gold Safe Sleep Champion designation, Tallahassee Memorial is a Cribs for Kids Partner, giving the organization access to Cribs for Kids’ educational materials, which TMH aims to share with care providers all throughout the community. The partnership also provides TMH resources for supporting families who need help establishing safe sleep environments in their own homes.




“As our region’s leader in providing the highest level of pediatric and perinatal care, it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to keep our community’s kids safe, both in and outside of the hospital,” shared Mark O’Bryant, President & CEO of TMH. “We’re proud to have an incredibly dedicated and skilled Women’s & Children’s team who are committed to continually improving our processes and expanding our educational outreach efforts; this certification is a testament to their hard work and patient-and-family centered care.”




Tallahassee Memorial encourages families and caretakers to familiarize themselves with the nine essential steps for infant safe sleep:

1. Always place baby to sleep on their back on a firm sleep surface.
2. Never dress baby too warmly for sleep. Keep room temperature comfortable for an adult.
3. Dress baby in a one-piece sleeper or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets.
4. Share the room not the bed. Baby should only sleep in a crib, bassinet or portable play yard.
5. Remove all soft bedding, bumpers and toys from baby’s sleep area. Use only a tight fitted sheet.
6. Do not expose baby to smoke of any kind. Remember, cigarette and other smoke can linger on clothing.
7. Visit baby’s pediatrician regularly and stay up to date on baby’s immunizations.
8. Breastfeed if possible. Breastfeeding lowers babies’ risk of SIDS by 50 percent.
9. Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, offer a pacifier after one month.