Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The foundations of one local hospital system are making sure that parents of newborns are able to get those little ones some good sleep.

Memorial Hospital’s Foundations in Springfield, Decatur, and Jacksonville are giving out “sleep sacks” to parents as they leave the hospital — which are now recommended instead of swaddling a baby.

“Infants love (swaddling), because it gives them that same feeling of being inside mom,” said Kaitlyn Lynn, Nursery Coordinator, Springfield Memorial Hospital, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.  “But, because so many people do it infrequently, it’s become a safety concern, and a risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  Using sleep sacks properly is now recommended.”

Lynn says parents also get teaching in the hospital about safely putting babies to sleep, along with some printed instructions they get to take home, and some instructions on the proper use of cribs.

“We’re  very excited to have the foundation position,” said Pam Hulten, Springfield Memorial Hospital Foundation director.  “We saw a need, we identified that need, and even expanded that to our two other hospitals in the Memorial Health system.”

Swaddle sleep sacks are generally recommended until babies start rolling over.  The ones parents are being given at Memorial are recommended for infants weighing six to twelve pounds.