Sleep box program aims to reduce infant deaths

Wrangell's Public Health Office will be participating in a wider effort to reduce infant mortality in Alaska. Spearheaded by PeaceHealth Ketchikan, the "Little Alaskan Dream Box" project distributes special sleeping boxes and postnatal care items to new mothers.

The sudden death of seven Alaskan infants in July 2014 highlighted a statewide problem. Alaska has an infant mortality rate about one-and-a-half times higher than the national average. Of the 195 infant deaths reported in the state between 2012 and 2014, 66 of these occurred in a sleep environment.

A recent study conducted by the state Department of Health and Social Services indicated most of these incidents were preventable; around two-thirds of the infants died while bed sharing, and roughly half involved sleeping positions other than on the back.

To combat this problem, Ketchikan clinical manager Gail Jones said their women's health clinic began looking at different options to mitigate this problem.

"We looked at cribs and we looked at a lot of different things," Jones recalled. What seemed most promising was a Finnish-style sleeping box. The box itself is just that. It's large enough to accommodate a newborn infant and comes equipped with a mattress and protector and allows the baby to sleep safely and comfortably.

Among the variety of Alaskan households, space can sometimes be an issue. The boxes can be placed most anywhere and can be used to transport necessities when not serving as a bed. The boxes being distributed through the Dream program even come fully stocked to start with.

"It has all the things you basically need for taking care of the child," Jones explained. Included in the set are two fitted sheets, breast pads, diapers, two newborn onesies, an auxiliary thermometer, pacifiers and the like.

Supported by the hospital and sponsors like First Bank and Alaska Airlines, the sleeping box program launched with Ketchikan's first birth of the year. Things took off from there: of the 380 boxes initially ordered, Jones said there are only 70 left. Twenty of these have been sent to Wrangell, and Craig, Metlakatla and Juneau will be running programs of their own. If successful, the program may go statewide.

"We're part of a pilot program for the state of Alaska," Jones explained. She said the state health department has been conducting follow-up surveys of mothers participating in the program.

To continue its program in future years, Ketchikan's hospital is coming up with funding ideas and has already begun raising money.

"We're looking at different ways we can sustain it next year," Jones explained. The next batch of boxes will have a more localized look as well, with an Alaskan artist being consulted on a design.

Wrangell's Public Health Center is looking for local parents willing to try the baby box. The office plans to hold a "Safe Sleep Education Shower" the week of Oct. 20, where participants receive a full kit and some basic information on how to safely put their infants to sleep. For more information, visit the office or call at 874-3615.