ESCANABA — A local organization is helping new parents and bringing awareness for safe sleep for infants.

Welcome Newborns, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is working to provide education and tools to parents during October, which is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

According to Welcome Newborns Program Coordinator Lannie Berg, a baby in Michigann dies nearly every other day due to sleeping in an unsafe sleeping environment, totaling over 140 babies each year.

“Nationally, every two hours, an infant dies due to unsafe sleep. Sleep-related deaths are the leading cause of death for infants between one and 12 months of age. Research has shown that SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death, behind premature birth and medical conditions,” Berg explained in a press release.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and sudden death of a healthy infant under one year old that remains unexplained following a complete investigation, autopsy, and review of the death scene and family’s medical history.

“Even the healthiest of infants may be at increased risk of death from the environment they are sleeping in. Research has shown that the very first time an infant is placed face down to sleep is often when SIDS occurs,” Berg said.

She pointed to further findings, including that three out of four sleep-related deaths involve children sleeping in unsafe locations such as adult beds, and two out of three deaths include infants who were not sleeping on their backs.

“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: putting their baby to sleep and discovering the next morning that the child has passed away,” Berg said.

In the United States alone, more than 3,500 infants die each year from SIDS.

The good news is that if infants are given an appropriate sleeping environment, it can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.

“Sparing families the incomprehensible tragedy has been a long-term goal of the Welcome Newborn program of Delta County,” Berg said.

She explained that research has shown that half of infants who die from SIDS occur while sleeping with their parents.

According to the CDC, placing infants on their backs during sleep time reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.

Berg and Welcome Newborns are on a mission to reduce the number of infant deaths.

“Our Welcome Newborns program distributes free Baby Safe Sleep Kits to Delta and Schoolcraft County families regardless of income or where the baby was born,” Berg said.

The kits include educational material about putting a baby to sleep in a safe environment and a HALO Sleep Sack – a premium wearable blanket.

“This wearable blanket replaces loose blankets that can cover the baby’s face and interfere with breathing. The HALO Sleep Sack allows parents to remove loose blankets from their baby’s crib and still keep the baby cozy, warm, and safe throughout the night and during nap time,” Berg explained.

Berg recommends that anyone caring for babies from newborn to 12 months old follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines to ensure the baby is sleeping safely.

The tips include:

– Always place babies on their backs to sleep.

– Babies should not share a bed with caretakers but should share a room with them for the first six months.

– The crib should be cleared of loose blankets, toys, pillows, and other items.

– Babies should not sleep on soft surfaces such as adult beds, sofas, recliners, quilts, or carpets.

– Monitor the temperature; keep the room comfortable for an adult.

– Don’t smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.

– Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play.

– Do not cover the baby’s head with a cap or hat.

– Replace loose blankets with a one-piece sleeper or the HALO blanket.

“To receive a free Baby Safe Sleep kit, including educational material and a HALO Sleep Sack, valued at $25, that will eliminate the need for dangerous loose blankets in the baby’s crib, Delta and Schoolcraft County parents simply need to contact the Welcome Newborns office,” Berg said.

The kits are available to the community during the last three months of pregnancy or following the baby’s birth.

To learn more about SIDS risk prevention or to request a free Baby Safe Sleep kit, contact Berg at the MDS Early Childhood Program office in Escanaba.

Welcome Newborns is located in the Community Action Agency building. The entrance to the Early Childhood section is on the side street at 111 5th Avenue North.

Contact Berg at 906-786-7080, Ext–143, or rberg@mdsecp.org.