Sleep Baby Safely Initiative of Manatee County

About

Manatee County has awarded Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County funding to establish and implement the Sleep Baby Safely Initiative of Manatee County. As stated in the agreement, ELC will effectively and efficiently operate and administer the delivery of the Sleep Baby Safely education, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Educating and informing determined key partners in understanding safe sleep environments, learning the most effective strategies for safe sleep, and associated risks of unsafe sleep.
  • A list of key partners has been established by the Children’s Services Advisory Board and is provided on page 10.
  • Provision of support services, including information and referral, to assist families in obtaining needed resources for their families and caregivers.
  • Community outreach and collaboration with key partners for service referrals.
  • Linking families and caregivers to other key partners and service providers throughout the community. This initiative is designed to meet the requirements of eligible clients and services under the Manatee County Children’s Services Ordinance 91-42.

There are 3 objectives:

  1. Examine the facts and data about infant sleep-related deaths in Manatee County
  2. Learn the best way to sleep babies safely and the science behind these safety tips
  3. Discuss strategies for Kiwanians to help babies reach their first birthdays

Press Release: Sleep Baby Safely Initiative of Manatee County - Early Learning Coalition

Click here for the initiative packet.


DATA BEHIND THE INITIATIVE

INFANT SLEEP-RELATED DEATH DISPARITY:

  • On average, every year in Manatee County 3 healthy babies suffocate while sleeping unsafely
  • 4 times more prevalent among African-American infants
  • Majority were co-sleeping (61%)
  • 81% of the deaths occurred within the first 6 months of life
  • 67% were male & 33% were female 


MANATEE COUNTY BIRTH RATES IN 2022:

  • 48.6% Caucasian 
  • 32% Hispanic
  • 11.7% African-American
  • 7.7% Other


DEATH LOCATION IN THE HOME:

  • 68% died in adult beds
  • 18% died in crib/bassinet
  • 14% died in other (i.e. sofa, chair, nursing pillow)
Facts: More infants die in adult beds than anywhere else

PREVENTABLE CHILD DEATHS BY TYPE

  

ZIP CODES IN MANATEE COUNTY WITH UNSAFE SLEEP DEATHS

(5 zip codes account for 86% of infant related deaths in Manatee County from 2013-2023)