Tragedies that are Preventable.. my soapbox issues

The news in Milwaukee has been pretty morbid lately about tragic but preventable things happening to infants and children. In the past month there are have been several infants who have tragically died due to not following the recommended safe sleep recommendations to prevent SIDS. There has also been two children who have died due to shaken baby syndrome. I teach, and teach and teach about safe sleep and shaken baby syndrome to every patient at the OB clinic I intern at as Graduate Social Work Intern. Part of the social worker's role is to provide psychoeducation to our patients and we do so several times throughout thier prenatal care. Information needs to be repeated more than once. We provide more education than most ob clinics and its about time that we all recognize the need to teach everyone this information as it saves lives. Milwaukee has one of the highest fetal infant mortality rates in the whole US for these two causes and many tragedies can be prevented. Its a soapbox issue for me. Education is very powerful thing and everyone needs to hear and be reminded not just those who are poor, or abuse drugs or alcohol. Safe sleep recommendations apply to all mom and babies. So remember always place a baby on thier "back to sleep" in a crib with a tight sheet, no blankets, no toys, no bumpers. All of these things can restrict thier breathing and increase thier risk for SIDS and NEVER EVER SHAKE A BABY OR CHILD! Shaken Baby syndrome can cause permanent brain damage and death.

Just today there was another story that thankfully didn't end up tragic. A newborn was abandoned in a duffel bag. Thankfully found safe unharmed and taken to the hospital by police. Another thing I support very strongly is the Safe Haven Law. This allows for women to leave thier unwanted, unharmed newborn under 72 hours old at any hospital, police or fire station. The baby is then placed in a loving adoptive home and the mom's identity remains annoynmous and and no charges are filed. This is to prevent abandonments that end tragically. It gives women who may have been hiding thier pregnancy or unable to parent a safe place for thier baby to go and be loved.

Education is powerful so pass on what you know and support and advocate for more education and funding for programs in our community and everywhere for these issues! Thanks and the babies and children out there thank you too!