Pediatric Emergency Department Infant Safe Sleep Promotion Program With Home Delivery of Supplies

Abstract

Infant sleep-related deaths remain a significant public health concern, particularly for families with limited access to primary care. This study examines the feasibility and effectiveness of a pediatric emergency department (PED)-based intervention aimed at promoting safe sleep practices by providing caregivers with home-delivered cribs and sleep sacks. A convenience sample of 50 caregivers with infants under 6 months old were enrolled during emergency department visits if they reported unsafe sleep practices or lacking appropriate sleep surfaces. Participants completed a pre-intervention survey assessing sleep practices, and a portable crib and sleep sack were shipped directly to their homes. One month later, caregivers filled out a follow-up survey to evaluate changes in infant sleep behaviors and their perceptions of the intervention. Using quantitative methods, paired analyses were conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention data. The study demonstrated that home delivery of safe sleep supplies was both feasible and well-received by caregivers, with 91% of participants successfully receiving and using the materials provided. Caregivers reported greater adherence to safe sleep recommendations, including reduced bed-sharing and fewer instances of unsafe sleep environments. The findings suggest that PEDs represent an underutilized setting for health promotion interventions and that integrating direct-to-home delivery of safety resources may be an effective strategy for improving infant sleep practices. Future research should explore the scalability and long-term impact of this approach in various health care settings.