In Michigan, an infant dies every two to three days due to sleep-related causes. These tragic deaths, which are often preventable, typically result from unsafe sleep environments that include blankets, pillows, or even the presence of pets or other people in the crib. As the state prepares for Safe Sleep Month in October, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is once again emphasizing the importance of safe sleep practices to help reduce these fatalities and keep babies safe.
Ahead of Safe Sleep Month, the MDHHS Office of Faith Engagement is hosting a virtual webinar for faith leaders on Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. The goal is to provide religious leaders with the knowledge and tools to educate families in their congregations about safe sleep practices. By partnering with faith communities, MDHHS hopes to extend its reach and help more families understand the critical steps they can take to protect their infants while they sleep.
To register for the webinar, visit: https://ocfe-events.com/2025-sessions/. It will be hosted by Colleen Nelson, who is the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator at MDHHS. As the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator, she is responsible for implementing the department’s state-wide strategy to promote infant safe sleep and developing and conducting training.
The MDHHS is working to educate parents, caregivers, and communities about the simple steps they can take to create safe sleep environments for their infants. Following these guidelines, they say, could help prevent the heartache of sleep-related deaths and ensure that babies rest safely each night.
The MDHHS recommends several key practices for safe sleep. First, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, both for naps and overnight rest. This position significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. Additionally, babies should sleep in a separate, safe sleep space such as a crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play. These spaces should have a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet, and parents should avoid using soft bedding, pillows, or toys, all of which can pose a suffocation risk.
It’s also critical that babies’ sleep areas are kept free of clutter. Items like blankets, stuffed animals, and bumper pads can increase the risk of suffocation or strangulation. Keeping the sleep environment simple and clear can provide babies with the safest possible space to rest.
To further reduce the risk of sleep-related fatalities, MDHHS advises parents to avoid overheating their babies or covering their heads while they sleep. Room temperatures should be comfortable, and babies should be dressed in light, breathable clothing to prevent overheating. It’s also important to remember that babies should never be allowed to sleep on soft surfaces like couches, sofas, or in car seats or swings, which are not designed for safe, routine sleep.
While following these sleep practices is crucial, additional steps can further protect babies. For example, breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of sleep-related deaths, as is keeping babies in a smoke-free and nicotine-free environment. Exposure to smoke—whether from cigarettes, cigars, or secondhand smoke—greatly increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related fatalities.
“Faith leaders are trusted voices in Michigan’s communities, and by working with them, we can help spread awareness about infant safe sleep practices,” said MDHHS officials. “Together, we can help save lives by making sure every family has the information they need to create a safe sleep environment for their babies.”
For more information about safe sleep practices and resources, parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/SafeSleep. By learning and sharing these simple steps, families can help reduce the number of preventable deaths and make Michigan a safer place for infants.
