Riverside Healthcare Earns Gold Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification

The Riverside Family Birthing Center has earned Gold Certification as a Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital, recognizing the organization’s commitment to evidence-based infant safe sleep practices and family education.

The Gold designation is the highest level of recognition through the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program and reflects Riverside’s consistent efforts to model safe sleep behaviors in the hospital setting while educating families on how to create safe sleep environments at home.

Cribs for Kids® is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing sleep-related infant deaths through education and advocacy. According to the organization, sleep-related causes remain the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, resulting in approximately 3,400 infant deaths each year.

“Parents often continue at home what they see modeled in the hospital,” said Dr. Michael H. Goodstein, neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids®. “By modeling safe sleep practices and providing education before families leave the hospital, healthcare organizations can have a meaningful impact on reducing sleep-related infant deaths. We commend Riverside Healthcare for making this commitment.”

At Riverside Healthcare, safe sleep education is a standard part of newborn care. Care teams follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations by placing infants on their backs to sleep, maintaining clear sleep spaces, and ensuring that families understand the importance of safe sleep practices before discharge.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our care teams and their shared focus on protecting our most vulnerable patients,” said Heather Davis, Director of Women's and Children's Services at Riverside. “Earning Gold Certification reinforces our commitment to providing remarkable care and supporting families with the knowledge and confidence they need to keep their babies safe.”

Judy Bannon, RN, BSN, founder and CEO of Cribs for Kids®, said the certification program is rooted in research showing that hospital education and modeling play a critical role in saving lives.

“The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep recommendations and the understanding that education saves lives,” Bannon said. “With more than 500 certified hospitals nationwide, we are proud to recognize Riverside Medical Center as a Gold-level partner in this important work.”

For more information about the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification.