October 01, 2026
WHEREAS, babies sleep safely when following the safe sleep steps of sleeping alone on their back in a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a tightly fitted sheet and with no other items in the sleep space; and,
WHEREAS, babies should sleep in the parent’s or caregiver’s room close to their bed on a separate sleep surface; and,
WHEREAS, breastfeeding or feeding human milk is encouraged because it is associated with lower instances of sleep-related infant death; and,
WHEREAS, smoke-free and nicotine-free homes are best for babies and help is available to quit; and,
WHEREAS, parents, caregivers, grandparents, relatives and childcare providers are urged to learn more about the steps to keep babies safe every time they sleep and how to plan for when they are tired; and,
WHEREAS, following the safe sleep steps can help prevent sleep-related infant deaths, which are those where the sleep environment likely contributed; and,
WHEREAS, if all sleep-related infant deaths were prevented, Michigan’s infant mortality rate for 2022 would have decreased by 22% potentially saving 150 lives; and,
WHEREAS, inequities at the individual and community level, such as limited transportation and lack of access to safe and affordable childcare and housing, are held in place by systemic causes, such as racism and generational poverty, and lead to measurable differences in health between groups, called health disparities; and,
WHEREAS, significant health disparities exist in sleep-related infant deaths with Black babies dying at 4.0 times the rate of white babies and American Indian babies dying at 2.6 times the rate; and,
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, working collaboratively with families, communities and institutional partners, raises awareness and promotes system changes that result in all babies celebrating their first birthdays;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October as Infant Safe Sleep Month in Michigan.
