A new report issued this week by the administration's Infant Safe Sleep
Task Force released guidelines that — if followed — will significantly
reduce Michigan's infant mortality rate by cutting down on accidental
suffocations.
The subcommittee of state officials and health care providers was built
out of the governor's "Children's Cabinet" and was put together to help
new and experienced parents alike straighten out the tangle of sometimes
conflicting parental advice on how a baby should be put to bed.
Michigan has had a higher infant mortality rate than the rest of the
United States for many years. Annually, sleep-related infant deaths
account for many of the 300 deaths in children aged one month to on year.
Michigan saw its first significant decline in sleep-related deaths between
1992 and 1995, due to the state's first "Back-to-Sleep" campaign.
The Department of Community Health, Department of Human Services and the
Department of Education worked together on the report, a product of about
eight months of work. The state officials will decide over the next few
weeks how it will spread the information.
Here's what they came up with:
- Babies should always sleep by themselves in a crib, portable crib or
bassinet
- Babies are not safe sleeping with other children, adults or pets
- Always put the baby to sleep on his or her back
- Put nothing in the sleep area with the baby — no pillow, blankets,
comforters, stuffed animals or other soft objects
- Keep baby's face uncovered during sleep for easy breathing. Use a
sleeper instead of a blanket if possible
- Do not allow anyone to smoke anything around the baby
- Be sure not to overheat the baby. Dress the baby in as much or as little
clothing as you wear for the outside temperature
- Use a firm mattress in the crib with a tightly fitted sheet
