First Lady Sue Snyder encourages parents, caregivers to help prevent infant deaths caused by unsafe sleeping environments

Thursday, September 8, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – In observance of September being Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, First Lady Sue Snyder is encouraging all parents and caregivers to implement safe sleep practices to help eliminate sleep-related infant deaths in Michigan.

“Too many babies in Michigan die every year because of unsafe sleeping environments, and as a parent, I can’t imagine what it’s like to experience this type of tragedy,” Sue Snyder said. “I am committed to promoting heightened awareness and ongoing progress in educating parents, caregivers and health professionals on how to reduce preventable infant deaths caused by unsafe sleep environments.”

More than 140 Michigan babies die every year due to unsafe sleep. Infants can suffocate quickly and quietly if they are in an unsafe sleep environment – such as sleeping with parents or siblings or with pillows, blankets or stuffed animals. Unfortunately, some parents and caregivers find out too late.

“Far too many Michigan babies die because they are sleeping in unsafe environments,” said Nick Lyon, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “One hundred percent of these deaths can be prevented.”

To prevent this kind of tragedy from happening to your family, follow the below guidelines to protect babies during nightly sleep and naps:

• Always place baby on the back for every sleep time.
• Use a firm mattress, covered with a fitted sheet, in a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play – nothing added between the sheet and mattress.
• Keep soft objects and bedding out of the crib – no pillows, comforters, blankets, stuffed toys, bumper pads, or other objects.
• Baby should sleep in his or her own crib, bassinet or pack-n-play. It’s OK to share a room with baby, but it is not safe to share a bed with baby.
• If baby falls asleep any place other than a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play, including after feeding, move him or her to a safe sleep space.
• Keep baby’s space smoke-free.
• Make sure everyone caring for baby knows how to keep baby safe while sleeping, including babysitters, friends and family members

“We are strongly encouraging mothers, fathers, grandparents and others who care for infants to follow these guidelines so we can keep all Michigan babies healthy and safe,” Lyon said.”

Visit www.michigan.gov/safesleep for more information.

Click here to read the official proclamation: www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_59874-392932--,00.html

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