Programs

± Bubbylonian Encounter
± Annual Luncheon Lecture Series
± Annual Conference
± Michigan Children's Trust Fund Direct Service Grant
± Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness
± Safe Sleep Initiative

± Internet Safety

Safe Sleep Initiative

Our newest program effort was launched in March ‘06 to address preventable infant deaths caused by to unsafe sleep practices. Each year, more children in Washtenaw County die of poor sleep environments than any other cause, except for prematurity and birth defects.

To address the problem of unsafe sleep in our County, we have initiated a public awareness/education campaign aimed at parents, caregivers, and those who work with infants and families called WISSH (Washtenaw Infants Sleep Safer Here.) We are calling for volunteers to become involved with a Safe Sleep Coalition to help us with this campaign and community outreach. To become part of the Coalition, please click here for a form to fill out and either mail to us or send as an attachment.

In February 2007 we released a "Safer Sleep for Your Baby" DVD. To order the DVD, schedule a Safer Sleep training or for more Safer Sleep information click here

Information for Parents and Caregivers:

Parents' Guide to Safe Sleep

Tummy Time

Caregivers' Guide to Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep for Your Baby

Safe Sleep Environment

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/BTS_safe_environment.pdf

Facts about Preventable Infant Deaths in Washtenaw County and Michigan:

Each year, in Washtenaw County, more infants die of poor sleep environments than any other cause, except for prematurity and birth defects.
In 2004, five infant deaths in Washtenaw County were the result of unsafe sleep practices. These cases ranged across races, nationalities and economic status. The commonality in all included one of these variables: co-sleeping (sharing bed with adult); infants on adult beds; toys, blankets, pillows and such in the crib; overheated rooms or overdressed child; upper respiratory illness in the child. (These variables listed are in the informal records, and will be formally concluded after complete review by the county Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team—FIMR.)
Unsafe sleep practices cause more than 100 infant deaths per year in Michigan.
In December 2005, the Washtenaw County Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction announced its 2006 Project Plan for Washtenaw County. A Safe Sleep Initiative is part of the plan. Washtenaw Area Council for Children was identified as the lead agency in this initiative. For a link to the Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction and a copy of our Safer Sleep for Infants PowerPoint: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/cimr/cimr.html

Infants are at greater risk of death when they are put to sleep in these ways:

In positions other than on their back;
On soft mattress or mattress that doesn’t fit firmly in crib;
On sofas, or adult beds with soft bedding;
With, near or on loose objects like blankets or pillows;
Over dressed, or in rooms that are over-heated; and
With others, co-sleeping, in the same bed.

For Further Information on Safe Sleep

In October 2005, The American Academy of Pediatrics revised their previous policy on safe sleep practices. For a copy of this please visit:

http://www.keepingkidsalive.org/Main_Pages/Data_and_Publications/Other_Publications/aap_safe_sleep_statement_2005.pdf

In April 2005, The Michigan Children’s Cabinet Infant Safe Sleep Task Force released guidelines that the state believes — if followed — will significantly reduce Michigan's infant mortality rate by cutting down on accidental suffocations. These guidelines are at:

http://earlychildhoodmichigan.org/articles/4-05/MIRS4-25-05.htm

Michigan Child Death Program:

www.keepingkidsalive.org/Main_Pages/Prevention/Specific_Causes_of_Death/suffocation.htm

Michigan's Department of Human Services has Safe Sleep Information on their website:

http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5452_7119_46151---,00.html

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