LANSING — Today, state Rep. Andy Schor (D-Lansing) introduced House Bill 4464 to promote safe sleep policies, which are shown to reduce the likelihood of infant suffocation.
“Infant death while sleeping is preventable in many cases,” said Schor. “As safe sleep practices became common over the last 20 years or so, infant deaths have gone down drastically.”
Schor’s bill requires that all licensed child care facilities, group child care homes and family child care homes provide a copy of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair’s rules regarding infant safe sleep to the parent of every child in its care under 1 year of age.
Generally accepted safe sleep practices include placing babies for sleep on their back on a firm mattress that fits snuggly in a crib with approved slat spacing. The crib should be free of soft objects like stuffed animals, loose bedding and blankets, bumper pads, or other items that could cause strangulation, entrapment or suffocation.
“Many Michigan working moms and dads may not have up to date information. It is important parents receive the proper information regarding safe sleep practices,” Schor said. “This legislation is about the protection and safety of our children, and I hope for a speedy approval.”