Katie Stern experienced every parent’s worst fear when her newborn son Toby tragically passed away in his sleep on Aug. 24, 2016. At just 12 weeks and 5 days old, Toby was diagnosed with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), leaving Katie and her husband, Daniel, devastated. Despite their shock, Katie, 42, from Monroeville, Pennsylvania, founded The Little Fox Toby’s Foundation in 2017 to provide support, education, and awareness for families affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
After years of advocating for SIDS awareness, Katie was dismayed to hear that the Safe to Sleep campaign, a public health initiative focused on safe sleep practices for babies, was facing potential government funding cuts. Led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the campaign has been instrumental in promoting evidence-based recommendations for safe infant sleep since 1994. However, Dr. Rachel Moon revealed that the agency’s participation in the program was cut on April 1, raising concerns about the future of the campaign.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Safe to Sleep campaign, experts like Dr. Fern Hauck emphasize the importance of continuing education on safe sleep practices. Studies have shown that a majority of SIDS cases in the U.S. are linked to specific risk factors, such as improper sleeping positions, bed-sharing, and soft bedding. With the recent increase in sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID), including SIDS cases, there is a pressing need for ongoing awareness and education to prevent future tragedies.
As we navigate these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of our youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
Ariel Stern, along with her sons Zeke and Lucas Stern, attended The Little Fox Toby’s Foundation’s annual Ice Cream Social event at Millie’s Ice Cream in Pittsburgh. Hauck expressed deep disappointment over the decision to dismantle the communications office, home to the Safe to Sleep campaign. She emphasized the crucial role of the NIH in leading the campaign, providing valuable resources to national institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The agency ensures that the material is accessible in various languages and formats, updating it based on the latest research and guidelines. Stern highlighted the impact of severing NIH’s connection to the Safe to Sleep campaign on families who have lost infants, feeling that it diminishes the significance of their experiences. This development is disheartening and raises concerns about the future of the campaign’s efforts to reduce SIDS. For further inquiries, please contact Adrianna Rodriguez at adrodriguez@usatoday.com. This article was originally published in USA TODAY: NIH cuts: Safe to Sleep campaign helped reduce SIDS. Is it in trouble?
