Here to receive the Proclamation is Sandra Hernandez from Healthy Families and members of the Coalition.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is heartbreaking, and can happen in any family regardless of income, education, or community. SUID is one of the leading causes of death in infants (0-364 days) and is often associated with preventable unsafe infant sleep practices and environments. Babies should always be put to bed on their backs, alone in their own crib or bassinet with no bumpers, pillows, quilts, comforters, or other soft surfaces in the crib. Local and national agencies such as Children’s Home Society, Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Healthy Start Coalition, Lakeland Regional Health, Safe Kids Suncoast Coalition, and their partnering agencies educate Polk County residents on safe sleep practices. The city of Lakeland recognizes that infant unsafe sleeping is a public health issue in Polk County and across the county, and together we can help by ensuring any person caring for a baby is using safe sleep practices.