Saline Memorial Hospital advances safe sleep initiative for newborns
July 03, 2026
Families have access to SleepSacks, safe sleep education and follow-up support
BENTON, Ark. (July 3, 2026) - Families delivering at Saline Memorial Hospital now have the opportunity to enroll in a new safe sleep initiative designed to support families and encourage safe sleep practices.
The program is a collaboration between Saline Memorial Hospital, Arkansas Children's Nursery Alliance and HALO. Families who enroll receive a free HALO SleepSack, a wearable blanket that promotes safe sleep and reduces the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. Nurses teach participating families how to use the SleepSack and follow evidence-based safe sleep guidelines.
HALO and Arkansas Children’s Nursery Alliance also provide SleepSacks for use with newborns in the hospital, ensuring families see safe sleep modeled with the same product they take home.
“Safe sleep is one of the most important things we can teach new parents,” said Payton Mills, director of women and infant services at Saline Memorial Hospital. “By giving families a SleepSack and showing them exactly how to use it, we’re helping them feel confident and supported from the very first night at home.”
The program extends support beyond the hospital stay. Parents can choose a six-month follow-up that includes a check-in for sleep questions, continued guidance and a second free SleepSack to help reinforce ongoing safe sleep habits at home.
Saline Memorial Hospital is one of two hospitals participating in the early implementation of the Always Safe Sleep Project through Arkansas Children's Nursery Alliance. North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison also is launching the program later this month.
“We’re proud to be part of this effort as it begins in Arkansas,” said Char Boulch, CEO of Saline Memorial Hospital. “Our team is committed to supporting families with clear, practical guidance that makes safe sleep easier to practice at home.”
About Saline Memorial Hospital
Saline Health System, a part of Lifepoint Health, is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. Saline Memorial Hospital has been caring for Saline County and its surrounding communities for more than 70 years. Saline Memorial Hospital is proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Grade “A” Hospital for its commitment to patient safety and with the Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the Chest Pain-MI Registry for delivering the highest quality care for cardiac patients. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network, CARF as a rehabilitation center and the AASM as a sleep center.
More information about Saline Memorial Hospital is available at 501.776.6000 or online at SalineMemorial.org. More information about Lifepoint Health is available at LifepointHealth.net.