October 22, 2025

Healthy Start Coalition Hosts Safe Sleep Event in Ybor City

News Summary

The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County organized an event in Ybor City to educate new parents on safe sleep practices. Approximately 40 families attended this training, which focused on preventing sleep-related infant deaths. The session covered essential tips on safe sleeping arrangements and highlighted common practices to avoid, such as co-sleeping and unsafe babysitting. Participants received portable cribs to enhance safety at home. Feedback from attendees indicated the event’s significant impact on their understanding of infant safety.

Ybor City, FL

The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County hosted a community education event on October 15th to promote safe sleep practices among new parents during National Safe Sleep Awareness Month. Approximately 40 families attended the event at the Ybor City offices of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the funding entity for the Safe Baby program.

The event included a comprehensive training session presented by Jessica Reynolds, Community Outreach Manager of Healthy Start, and her colleague Ragdah Ali. They delivered over an hour of instruction focused on preventing infant deaths related to sleep practices. The session, offered in both English and Spanish in separate rooms, emphasized common mistakes parents make, such as co-sleeping, shaking babies, choosing unfit babysitters, and distracted parenting.

In 2022, Hillsborough County recorded 18 sleep-related infant deaths, with all cases attributed to suffocation and none classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Parents were informed that while sleeping in the same room with the baby is acceptable, sharing the same bed poses significant suffocation risks. It was recommended that infants should be placed on their backs to sleep in a safe crib that is free from additional items such as pillows, blankets, or toys.

Safety Concerns and Recommendations

The training highlighted specific dangers associated with inclined sleepers, including a Fisher-Price model that was recalled but may still be available in second-hand stores. Parents were encouraged to thoroughly research product safety before making purchases for their infants. Each family that attended the event received portable Cribette brand cribs, which were donated by the Tampa Police Department, to help ensure safe sleeping environments for their babies.

The workshop also discussed the risks of shaken baby syndrome and the importance of choosing caregivers informed about safe handling of infants. Attendees were advised that caregivers may not share the same level of experience in managing infant stressors, making it crucial for parents to understand their caregiver’s abilities. Techniques for calming babies, such as swaddling and taking breaks when feeling frustrated, were highlighted as beneficial strategies.

Community Impact and Continued Education

The Safe Baby program has been in operation for 12 years and has evolved from providing training for nurses to extending resources and classes directly to parents and caregivers. The event included valuable information on the dangers of distracted parenting, reinforcing the necessity for caregivers to remain focused on their infants.

The feedback from attendees underscored the event’s impact. New parents expressed concern over the information presented but acknowledged its usefulness. Many pointed out the importance of being informed to ensure the safety of their children. The organizers aim to continue offering this training regularly every three months at Family Resource Centers throughout Hillsborough County.

Conclusion

The safe sleep education event addressed crucial information to help new parents protect their infants from sleep-related dangers. The Healthy Start Coalition’s ongoing commitment to education aims to lower the incidence of infant deaths through awareness and safe practices, highlighting the importance of community initiatives in safeguarding the well-being of young families.

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Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER

The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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