A new initiative launched last year is aiming to keep babies safe while sleeping.

Hospitals around the city handed out thousands of kits equipped with everything a new parent needs to keep their infant out of danger during nap time. Now, they're continuing the practice in 2020.

Statistics show that New York City loses about 40 babies each year to sleep-related injuries, according to the Administration for Children's Services.

Data compiled by the state shows that nearly half of all infants who die in their cribs were not following what doctors call "safe sleep" practices.

"There's nothing worse than understanding that death was preventable, and this is the most beautiful moment of their life, and we want the baby to be safe at home," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Dr. Yogangi Malhotra.

In 2019, ACS teamed up with NYC Health + Hospitals to get these "safe sleep" toolkits into the hands of every new parent at public hospitals citywide. Nearly 11,000 kits were handed out with a onesie, educational brochures, crib netting and a sleep sack inside.

Parents were also given a DVD to watch while at the hospital, which they could also take home, to debunk common misconceptions.

Doctors also teach the ABCs of safe sleep, and that babies should always sleep alone. They also say that babies should sleep on their backs and in a safety-approved crib.

More education and conversation is to come in the new year, as hospitals plan to continue handing out the safe-sleep kits.