In a movement to increase safe sleep for Indiana kids, the Indianapolis Colts donated sleep sacks for babies born each year at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, Anderson, Carmel, Evansville, Fishers, Kokomo and Randolph County. This first annual donation will result in 5,000 Colts sleep sacks for babies born starting in 2025.
Sleep sacks, or wearable blankets, are designed by pediatricians to provide both warmth and an uncluttered sleep environment for an infant and prevent blankets from presenting a suffocation hazard.
Colts Vice Chair & Owner Kalen Jackson and Colts Player DeForest Buckner visited with moms and babies at Ascension St. Vincent and delivered the first set of sleep sacks to the newest and youngest Colts fans.
“The Colts are so pleased to help promote safe sleep for Hoosier kids, and this donation of sleep sacks is one way we can help new parents care for their infants in a safe manner,” Jackson said. “We’re also proud to partner with Ascension St. Vincent to continue promoting health and wellness for our friends, fans and neighbors across the state, and we look forward to more opportunities to do so.”
Earlier this year, Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital became the official healthcare partners of the Colts. The partnership provides a variety of opportunities for the hospital system to reach new audiences, raise awareness about wellness and help improve the health of fans of all ages.
“Indiana’s sleep-related infant mortality rate is higher than the national average and continues to rise. It is an alarming stat, but these are preventable deaths,” said Julia Schnieders, MSN, NP, Vice President of Women and Pediatric Services at Ascension St. Vincent. “Through our partnership with the Colts, we aim to address this urgent issue by educating parents on safe sleep practices. By providing tools like sleep sacks that replace hazardous, loose blankets in a crib, we can save young lives and increase positive outcomes for babies across Indiana.”
