October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month: Partners for Healthier Babies Council Urges Families to Prioritize Safe Sleep Practices

In recognition of Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, the Partners for Healthier Babies (PHB) Council is calling on all parents, grandparents, caregivers, and community members to make infant safe sleep a top priority. By following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, families can significantly reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation and strangulation.  

SIDS is the leading cause of death of infants 1 - 12 months of age, with most SIDS deaths occurring during sleep. The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but there are known risk factors and proven ways to reduce your baby’s chances of dying from SIDS.   

The PHB Council is committed to ending these tragedies through education and advocacy. In fact, since the Council’s formation, there were zero infant deaths attributed to unsafe sleep practices in La Porte County in 2021—a powerful reminder that awareness and action can save lives!

Know the ABCDs of Safe Sleep 

A safe sleep environment lowers the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths. Create a safe sleep environment, helping to lower the risk of SIDS, by following the ABCDs of Safe Sleep for every nap, every night, every time: 

• A – Apart: Babies should always sleep in their own space—never in an adult bed, on a couch, in a swing, or with others. Place your baby’s crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard in your bedroom, close to your bed. AAP doesn’t recommend bed sharing with baby under any circumstances!
• B – Back: Always place babies on their back for all naps, at bedtime, and all sleep times.
• C – Crib: Use a firm, flat, safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard with a tight-fitting sheet. Keep the sleep space free from blankets, pillows, toys, and soft objects. If baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier or sling, place them on a firm surface on their back as soon as possible. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to make sure your crib hasn't been recalled, especially if it's not new.
• D – Don’t Smoke: Do Not exposure your baby to smoke and nicotine during pregnancy and all times after your baby is born. Avoid alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and other substances including over-the-counter drugs that could make you drowsy. 
  Safe sleep practices should be followed not only by parents but anyone who cares for an infant, including babysitters, grandparents, and daycare providers. SIDS can occur in any sleep environment, so it’s critical to share safe sleep guidelines with everyone involved in a child’s care.

Safe sleep practices should be followed not only by parents but anyone who cares for an infant, including babysitters, grandparents, and daycare providers. SIDS can occur in any sleep environment, so it’s critical to share safe sleep guidelines with everyone involved in a child’s care. 

New Videos Promote Awareness Across La Porte County 

To amplify this life-saving message, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) has created a series of impactful videos featuring local pediatricians—Drs. Glos, Gandra, Roberts, Salazar, and Walker—who discuss safe sleep facts and the dangers of recalled or unsafe infant products. These videos are available on safelsleeplpc.org and will be shown at the movie theater in Michigan City throughout October. 

In addition, a county-wide public awareness campaign will launch this month, focused on educating families about how to keep babies safe while sleeping and napping.

Why It Matters: La Porte County’s High Infant Mortality Rate 

Infant mortality is considered a key indicator of a community’s health. In 2023, La Porte County’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was 9.4 deaths per 1,000 live births—significantly higher than the Indiana state average of 6.6 and the national rate of 5.6. Contributing factors include high rates of low birth weight and premature birth. 

A recent report by the Indiana Department of Health (2019–2023) places La Porte County among the top five counties in the state for infant mortality, with zip code 46360 showing one of the highest IMRs at 13.4. Among Non-Hispanic Black infants in this area, the IMR spikes to an alarming 26.5.  

Preterm and Low Birth Weight Births Rise in La Porte County in 2023 

La Porte County saw a concerning increase in adverse birth outcomes in 2023. The percentage of preterm births rose to 16.0%, up from 12.6% in 2022. Additionally, the rate of low-birth-weight births increased to 11.8%, compared to 9.6% the previous year. These trends highlight a growing health concern that underscores the need for continued focus on maternal and infant health in our county.

RESOURCES

The AAP provides evidence-based recommendations to prevent infant sleep deaths in the policy statement “Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment.” The evidence supporting those recommendations is outlined in an accompanying technical report.  

View AAP’s policy statement. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission