Sept. 18, 2009

Although Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age, many parents are unaware of the dangers of SIDS.  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the sudden death of a baby from unknown causes before the baby is one year old. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between 1 and 4 months old. While new medical research has shown that there may be brain abnormalities that cause SIDS, safe sleep practices have overwhelmingly been shown to be the most effective prevention tool for SIDS and sudden unexpected infant deaths.

These alarming facts coupled with the knowledge that most parents are unfamiliar with SIDS prompted me to join Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS, a nonprofit organization that provides community-based services to reduce infant mortality and provide grief support to anyone affected by an infant's death.

Tomorrow's Child is the state's designated resource for risk reduction and grief support services for all postneonatal deaths. I want our parents to know what causes these infant deaths, how to prevent them and safe ways to lie your baby down to sleep.

There has been significant progress in identifying factors associated with SIDS. Studies show that amongst other unsafe sleep practices, stomach sleep, smoke exposure and overheating are all major risk factors. In 1994, Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS launched a Back to Sleep campaign, recommending that infants be placed to sleep on their backs. Since that time, the state's SIDS rate has decreased by more than 70 percent. However, SIDS is still responsible for more infant deaths in the United States than any other cause.

Now, Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS has a new campaign – Infant Safe Sleep. This campaign aims to educate families, caregivers and communities about the importance of creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.

Putting your baby to sleep on his or her back is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is not to say that your baby cannot spend time on his or her tummy. Healthy babies can have awake "tummy time" during the day with adult supervision. In fact, "tummy time" is good for your baby's development and can help prevent positional plagiocephaly, or flattened head. However, when sleeping, it is best to put your baby on his or her back.

Babies who are put down on their sides and then roll onto their bellies are especially at risk. Your baby should sleep on a firm surface and soft materials such as pillows, comforters or stuffed animals should not be in the crib with your baby. Remember, adult beds are not safe for babies and your baby should not sleep with you. If you feed your baby in bed, put him or her back into his or her crib to sleep.

Make sure you talk with anyone who cares for your baby – childcare providers, friends, sitters or grandparents – about safe sleep practices. Studies have shown that a large proportion of sudden infant deaths occur in childcare settings.

Our children are our future. They are our future workers and our future leaders. It is important that they are cared for and protected. Remember, safe sleep practices, including putting your baby to sleep on his or her back, are the best way to prevent sudden infant deaths. For more information, visit Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS Web site at http://www.tomorrowschildmi.org.

Please join me Sunday, September 27th at 12 noon at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing to walk in the 2009 Mid-Michigan Baby Walk to benefit Tomorrow's Child/Michigan SIDS. To join my team, please visit http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?EventID=29002&LangPref=en-CA&TeamID=119094