Parents, grandparents, caregivers and all people with babies and children in their lives are invited to learn and have fun at the free Healthy Baby Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 on the lower level at The Citadel. The fair is sponsored by the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and community partner organizations.Here are just some of the fun and important opportunities for parents, children and babies to share:
- Meet firefighters and explore a fire truck.
- Meet emergency medical workers and look at an ambulance.
- Visit with McGruff, the Crime Dog.
- Enter drawings for prizes such as baby care items.
- Get your children fingerprinted for safety.
- Receive a free children’s dental exam.
- Enjoy a special visit with Mother Goose and puppet friends
Representatives of more than 30 community agencies and organizations will be on hand to provide information and demonstrations. Health Department staff will be available to provide information about protecting children and babies through proper immunization; please bring your child’s shot record if available. Experts also will be available to provide information on how to obtain good nutrition, avoiding the use of tobacco in the home and other healthy options.One of the most important focuses at the Healthy Baby Fair will be to teach parents and caregivers about safe sleep environments for babies. Sleep environments, particularly, infants sleeping on their tummies or sides, have been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the leading cause of death among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age.Safe sleep position is only one factor in preventing SIDS. Here are other important recommendations:
- Ensure that your baby sleeps on his or her back, alone in a crib, not in your bed.
- Place babies on firm sleep surfaces, such as a safety-approved crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet-Never on pillows, quilts, sofas, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
- Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area-No pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, or pillow-like bumpers in your baby’s sleep area. Keep all items away from the baby’s face.
Participating agencies include the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, the El Paso County Department of Human Services, Alliance for Kids, American Medical Response, Angel Eyes, Catholic Charities, Center on Fathering, Centro de la Familia, Child Care Connections, Colorado’s Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Program, Colorado Springs Breastfeeding Task Force, Colorado Springs Fire Department, Colorado Springs Police Department, Community Partnership for Child Development, Family Connections, Family Nurturing Center of Colorado, Fort Carson Public Health, Healthy Communities, Life Connections, Lutheran Family Services, March of Dimes, Memorial Health System, Nursing & Therapy Services of Colorado, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, Peterson and Air Force New Parent Support, Pikes Peak Library District, The Resource Exchange and the Visiting Nurse Association.For more information, visit our website, www.elpasocountyhealth.org
