It’s #InfantMortalityAwarenessMonth and we’re shedding the light on infants that do not make it to their first year. Although infant mortality rates have decreased within the last 10 years in the US, Black babies were twice as likely to die from SIDS compared to non-black counterparts. SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, happens when a baby dies before the age of 1 year old.
(Pinterest)
Infants who are breastfed are 60% less likely to die from SIDS than infants who didn't receive any breast milk. This protective effect increased the longer the baby was breastfed and if the baby was exclusively breastfed.
Compared to exclusive and extended breastfed babies, formula-fed babies have a DOUBLED overall infant death risk, and 4-fold risk of SIDS. When hospitals give Black mothers formula 9x more than white mothers (NIH) this creates a public health issue no one is talking about.
Accompanied with breastfeeding to reduce the risk of SIDS, safe sleeping practices must be used to eliminate risks of death. We advocate for SAFE bed sharing with infants!! Here are a few tips to ensure your baby is safely sleeping:
* Place the baby on his or her back on a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet.
* Avoid use of soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and soft toys. The crib should be bare.
* Room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.
* Avoid baby's exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs.
So tell me, honey? How can we make breastfeeding work for you? #BreastfeedingIsLIFE