Reps. Haines, Barnett, Brown, Cavanagh, Durhal, Heise, Howrylak, Kandrevas, Lipton, McCann, O'Brien, Roberts and Slavens offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 210.

A resolution to declare September 2013 as Safe Sleep Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The sudden, unexpected death of a newborn is the third most common cause of death among newborns; and

Whereas, Sudden unexpected infant death, or SUID, is Michigan’s leading cause of preventable infant death; and

Whereas, Most babies that die of sudden unexpected infant death syndrome appear to be healthy prior to death; and

Whereas, Our state is fortunate to have many public and private partners working together to protect children and ensure infants are safe; and

Whereas, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Michigan Department of Community Health recommend placing infants in a safe sleeping environment to help significantly reduce sudden unexpected death; and

Whereas, Parents should gain a broader understanding of safe sleep practices and the risk factors associated with SUID and share that information with others on how to create a safe sleeping environment for an infant to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death; and

Whereas, The best ways to prevent sudden unexpected infant deaths are to place infants  on their backs, use a firm sleeping surface covered with only a fitted sheet, remove any loose bedding and soft objects from the crib, do not allow the baby to become overheated and do not share a bed with your baby; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body declare September 2013 as Safe Sleep Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We aim to promote awareness of safe sleep practices; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body support the establishment of a safe sleep education program to promote awareness and education relating to sudden unexpected infant death with the focus on the risk factors and safe sleeping practices for newborns and infants.