Caring For Our Next Generation: Reducing Infant Mortality
In the U.S., the number babies who die in their first year of life is declining, with an all-time low 6.4 infant mortality rate (6.4 deaths for every 1,000 live births) reported in 2009, the most recent available data. |
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| The U.S. infant mortality rate ranks near the bottom among industrialized nations. Moreover, there are persistent disparities that affect racial and ethnic minorities and geographic areas. As a result, Secretary Sebelius has announced the creation of the first-ever national strategy to address infant mortality. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is collaborating with teams from 13 southern states, and other private and public partners to support efforts to reduce infant mortality in that region. This partnership will share best practices and lessons learned while focusing on improvements in five common priority areas. | ||
Inducing labor before 39 weeks is associated with newborn health complications. Labor should only be induced for medical reasons. Learn more: Reduce Elective Deliveries 
(ASTHO)
Babies sleep safest when placed on their backs in a crib, play yard or bassinet that meets current safety standards. Place your baby’s separate, safe sleep space near where you sleep for at least the first six months. The baby should sleep on a firm mattress that is designed for an infant and fits snugly in the crib. Keep all bedding items and toys out of the crib while your baby is sleeping, including quilts, loose blankets, soft or pillow-like bumpers, pillows or stuffed animals. Learn more: Safe to Sleep (NIH)
Hospitals in a state or region must work together to ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn has access to the appropriate level of medical care that they need. This means parents-to-be can be sure that there are hospitals readily available that can provide everything from a basic, uncomplicated delivery to those that can serve mothers and babies with the most complex, critical problems. Very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants should be delivered at highly specialized hospitals, most commonly designated as level III hospitals. Learn more: Collaborative Efforts to Address the Impact of Perinatal Regionalization on Infant Mortality (The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs) Levels of Neonatal Care (The American Academy of Pediatrics)
A pregnant smoker is at a higher risk for problems in her pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, an increased rate of premature birth, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies of nonsmokers. Studies show that women who quit smoking early in their pregnancies can reduce the risk of damage to their babies. Even quitting in the last month of pregnancy can help your baby by increasing the amount of oxygen available to him/her during delivery. Learn more: Smokefreewomen.gov
The single best predictor of preterm birth is a prior preterm birth. If you have had a previous pregnancy that ended in an adverse outcome (e.g., infant death, fetal loss, birth defects, low birth weight or preterm birth), use the post-partum period, and the time before you plan future pregnancies to seek medical help from your health care provider. Make sure that you are healthy before you get pregnant again. For services available in your state, use the Looking for Help feature. Learn More: Preconception (CDC), Every Woman California - Preconception Health Council of California 
Find your State contact information:
Alabama (800) 654-1385
Alaska (800) 799-7570
American Samoa (684) 633-4616
Arizona (800) 232-1676
Arkansas (800) 232-0002
California (866) 241-0395
Connecticut (800) 688-7777
Delaware (800) 464-4357
District of Columbia (800) 311-2229
Florida (800) 451-2229
Georgia (800) 822-2539
Guam (671) 735-7111
Hawaii (800) 235-5477
Idaho (800) 296-2588
Illinois (800)-843-6154
Indiana (800) 433-0746
Iowa (800) 369-3826
Kansas (800) 332-6262
Kentucky (800) 462-6122
Louisiana (800) 251-2229
Maine (800 698-3624
Maryland (800) 456-8900
Massachusetts (800) 882-1435
Michigan (800 262-4784
Minnesota (800 728-5420
Mississippi (800) 721-7222
Missouri (800) 835-5465
Montana (887) 543-7669
Nebraska (800) 862-1889
Nevada (800) 429-2669
New Hampshire (800) 852-3345
New Jersey (800) 328-3838
New Mexico (877) 725-2552
New York (800) 522-5006
North Carolina (800) FOR-BABY
North Dakota (800) 472-2286
Northern Marianas (670) 664-4850
Ohio (800) 755-4769
Oklahoma (800) 426-2747
Oregon (800) SAFENET
Pennsylvania (800) 986-2229
Puerto Rico (800) 981-5721
Rhode Island (800) 942-7434
South Carolina (800) 868-0404
South Dakota (800) 305-3064
Tennessee (800) 428-2229
Texas 2-1-1 (Texas Only)
Utah (800) 826-9662
Vermont (800) 649-HELP
Virginia (800) 230-6977
Virgin Islands (866) 248-4004
Washington (800) 322-2588
West Virginia (800) 642-8522
Wisconsin (800) 722-2295
Wyoming (800) 438-5795
 | Find Prenatal Services 800-311-BABY (2229) En espanol 800-504-7081 |
 | La Linea Nacional Prenatal Hispana En espanol 800-504-7081 |
 | Text BABY to 511411 Envia BEBE al 511411 para Espanol |
 | Insure Kids Now! Find Your State's CHIP or Medicaid Program |
