With this being National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, the Berrien County Health Department is hoping to help parents know what they can do to ensure their babies are safe. Family Health Programs Manager Kyna King tells WSJM News infant mortality is when a baby dies before its first birthday. Berrien County has a high rate of infant mortality when compared to the rest of the state.
“In 2019, Berrien County had a three year average infant mortality rate of 7.4 deaths for every 1,000 live births, and this was higher than the state of Michigan’s three year average infant mortality rate of about 6.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births,” King said.
King says common causes of infant deaths in Berrien County are improper sleep positioning and pre-term births. She says it’s important for parents to know to have their babies sleep on their backs with no toys or other objects in the crib. An infant mortality awareness day is planned for this Thursday at Carronde Park in St. Joseph Township. It will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and food will be provided to those who come out and hear from the guest speakers.
