October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Contact: Lori Behrens
314-822-2323
lbehrens@sidsresources.org
For Immediate Release

October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

SIDS Resources, Inc. Works to Raise Awareness and to Help Save Infant Lives

St. Louis, MO, October 2009 Today, in communities across America, expectant moms will feel their baby’s first kick; parents will listen joyfully to their newborn’s first cry; and families will celebrate their healthy baby’s first birthday.

Also on this day, ten babies will lose their lives to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other sudden, unexpected infant deaths.

October is SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and SIDS Resources Inc. is dedicated to infant health and survival, as well as helping to increase awareness about these tragic causes of infant death.

October 15 has been designated “National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.” On this day, families across the nation will light candles to honor the lives that have been lost, and will continue to be lost, until we reach our goal of a future where all babies survive and thrive.

Some activities that SIDS Resources’ staff will participate in during the month of October include:

Oct. 3rd - Baby Health Fair; St. Clare Hospital in Fenton
Oct. 9th - Safe Cribs class; St. Luke Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
Oct. 13th – Safe Sleep for teen moms; Pattonville Parents as Teachers
Oct. 28th – Safe Crib Partner Training; North Central Community Health Center
Oct. 30th - Healthy America Summit at Florissant Valley Community College

“SIDS Resources strives to nurture grieving families, as well as help families with babies to stay healthy and safe,” says Lori Behrens, Executive Director. “Our goal is to provide compassionate support and to be accessible to bereaved parents, and to be THE resource for professionals, community members and new parents on proven and effective ways to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death.”

Some facts about SIDS:

• Each year in Missouri, approximately 100 babies succumb to sudden infant death.
• That number includes between 30 and 40 infants in the St. Louis area.
• The peak age for SIDS is between 2 and 4 months of age. It is the leading cause of death in babies from one month to one year of age.
• The risk of SIDS is two to three times greater in African American and Native American infants.
• Steps to reduce the risk of SIDS include the “ABC’s” of safe sleep for babies; babies sleep safest alone, on their backs, in their cribs. Also, creating a smoke-free zone around babies can help lower the risk.

Founded in 1974, SIDS Resources Inc. is the only Missouri nonprofit that provides emotional support for families who have lost babies to Sudden Infant Death, and also educates the community about safe sleep for babies and other risk reduction strategies. The organization has offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, and serves communities throughout Missouri, plus surrounding counties in Kansas and Illinois. Each year, SIDS Resources provides bereavement support to more than 100 families. SIDS Resources is a proud member of the Greater St. Louis United Way. To learn more about SIDS bereavement support or to schedule an awareness or risk reduction presentation in your community, please call 314-822-2323 or 800-421-3511.