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Michigan Families Encouraged to Keep Their Baby Safe During Holidays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2012

LANSING - The holiday season is a joyful time of the year. Don't let this season of celebration turn into a tragedy for your baby and family. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) urges you to make sure your baby or the baby in your care always has a safe place to sleep at night and during naptime, even as you travel or visit others.

Michigan babies have suffocated while sleeping in adult beds, sharing a bed with an adult or child, sleeping on furniture, and sleeping with pillows, cushions, and blankets. Follow these basic infant safe sleep recommendations to protect babies from suffocation or accidents during nightly sleep and naps:

  • The safest place for baby to sleep is in a crib, bassinet, or portable crib that meets current safety standards. Take a portable crib with you if you're not sure one will be available. Adult beds, couches, and sofa chairs are dangerous for infant sleep. 
  • Use a firm mattress and tightly fitted sheet in the crib, bassinet, or portable crib. Take out all pillows, blankets, comforters, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and other soft things. 
  • Your baby should sleep on his or her back. Babies can suffocate if placed face down.
  • Baby should sleep by himself or herself in the crib, bassinet, or portable crib. Never allow a baby to share a bed with adults, other babies, or children.
  • Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket. Blankets can suffocate the baby. Sleep sacks are specially designed, wearable blankets, for safe infant sleep.

Be sure to tell anyone caring for your baby, including babysitters and family members, about the steps they need to take to keep your baby safe while sleeping. Remember, always make sure baby has a safe place to sleep, including when traveling or visiting family during this holiday season. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/safesleep.

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