Flint, Michigan – October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the Safe Sleep Coalition of Genesee County in partnership with Genesee County Health Department is educating parents and caregivers about simple techniques to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths in Genesee County, where the infant mortality rate is one of the highest in all of Michigan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 3,500 sudden unexpected infant deaths annually in the United States. Between 2010 and 2017, there were 79 sleep-related infant deaths in Genesee County, which is a rate of 2.0 deaths per 1,000 live births.
How can we practically prevent Infant Sleep Related Death?
- Place baby alone on their back, in a crib, bassinet or pack n’ play for every sleep time – nap time and night time. If you or someone you know needs assistance locating a safe sleep environment contact Voices for Children.
- Use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet.
- Keep baby’s sleep space clutter free – no pillows, blankets or toys.
- Keep baby’s sleep space where you can see and hear them. Share your room, not your bed.
- Avoid covering baby’s head or overheating. Instead of a blanket, consider using a sleep sack, wearable blanket or footed sleeper to keep baby warm.
- Remind everyone who cares for your baby, including babysitters and family members, how to keep baby safe while sleeping.
For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/safesleep. Voices for Children Advocacy Center offers free Infant Safe Sleep training to parents, caregivers, and child-serving agencies. In addition, Voices for Children Advocacy Center is seeking partnerships with Houses of Worship to provide this information to their congregations. To book a training call (810)238-3333 ext. 208 or email alyssa@voicesforcac.org
ABOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN
Voices for Children provides hope and advocacy for youth throughout Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. As the provider of child advocacy for this community, Voices for Children serves child survivors of abuse, neglect and human trafficking, educates the community on prevention, also creating advocacy opportunities for the good of all children.
Voices for Children Advocacy Center works to intervene in the cases of the alarmingly high number of children who are victims of abuse. This is accomplished through education, empowerment and enlightening the community, school-aged children, and parents about prevention factors. The child advocacy center leads the community in responding to victims of child abuse violence and works to replace cycles of maltreatment with positive cycles of healing and resilience through prevention and intervention programming, as well as community education. Voices for Children is dedicated to building healthy relationships and provides a continuum of services for persons of all ages who have been, or are at risk of being victims of child maltreatment. The agency’s model is grounded in a strengths-based, empowerment philosophy that partners with families and incorporates best practices and evidence-based strategies. All of Voices for Children’s services are completely free of charge to clients.
