With October being Infant Safe Sleep Month in Michigan, the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department wants to remind everyone of the importance of infant safe sleep.

Sleep-related deaths can occur at any point during infancy, which is from birth to 1 year old, the DIDHD warns in a news release. In Michigan, they are the leading cause of death among infants, with suffocation being the most common cause. Statewide, 1.3 sleep-related infant deaths occur per 1,000 live births. In 2022, 150 Michigan babies died due to sleep-related causes.

Infants have suffocated while sleeping in adult beds, sharing a bed with an adult or child, sleeping on furniture, and sleeping with pillows, cushions and blankets, the DIDHD advised.

In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents and caregivers should follow these basic infant safe sleep recommendations to protect babies from suffocation or accidents during nightly sleep and naps —

— Place baby on the back to sleep. 

— Place baby in a crib, bassinet or pack and play with a firm mattress covered only with a tightly fitted sheet. The sleep surface should be flat. 

— Keep baby’s sleep space clutter free — no pillows, quilts, comforters, stuffed toys, bumper pads or other soft objects. 

— Keep baby’s sleep space near the caregiver’s bed — share the room, not the bed. 

— Keep baby’s environment smoke-free and nicotine-free.  

Make sure everyone caring for the baby knows these guidelines, including babysitters, friends and family members.

To learn more about infant safe sleep, go to Michigan.gov/SafeSleep. Those with questions about infant safe sleep can contact the Infant Safe Sleep Program at MDHHS-InfantSafeSleep@michigan.gov or the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department at 906-265-9913 for Iron County or 906-774-1868 for Dickinson County.