National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: Nurturing Parents, Honoring Babies
September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month; a time to raise awareness about the challenges families face, remember the little ones gone too soon, and share resources that can help parents feel supported and empowered. We believe that education, community, and wellness are key to creating safer beginnings for babies and stronger foundations for families.
Why Infant Mortality Awareness Matters
In the U.S., the infant mortality rate in 2023 was 5.61 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning over 19,000 babies did not reach their first birthday (CDC, 2024).
Provisional data for 2024 shows a slight decline to 5.5 per 1,000, reflecting progress in prevention and care (AP News, 2024).
The leading causes include birth defects, preterm birth/low birthweight, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), maternal health complications, and injuries (CDC, 2024).
Disparities in Infant Mortality
Infant mortality does not affect all families equally.
Non-Hispanic Black infants die at a rate of 10.9 per 1,000 live births, which is more than double the rate for non-Hispanic White infants (4.5 per 1,000) (Office of Minority Health, 2024).
Black infants are:
3.6× more likely to die from low birthweight.
3.2× more likely to die from SIDS.
3.2× more likely to die from maternal complications.
These disparities highlight the importance of accessible prenatal care, postpartum support, and culturally respectful family education.
What Families Can Do
While not every risk factor can be controlled, families can take meaningful steps to protect their little ones:
Safe Sleep: Always place infants on their back, use a firm mattress, and keep the crib free of loose items (Children’s Safety Network).
Prenatal & Postnatal Care: Regular visits help address complications early and provide reassurance for parents.
Maternal Mental Health: A well-supported parent is better able to provide safe, responsive care.
Staying Informed: Families can talk with trusted providers about health decisions, including ways to reduce infection risks (like RSV and flu season), nutrition for mother and baby, and community-based resources.
Our Commitment
We support families through:
Education: Equipping parents with practical skills for birth, postpartum and newborn care & safety.
Support: We pair families find professional doulas who advocate during pregnancy and beyond.
Wellness: We offer weekly yoga sessions for prenatal and postpartum.
Community: We host community events and Mommy Meet Ups to foster connection and peer support.
Download Our Free Resource Kit
We’ve created a Safe Sleep & Support Kit for families to download, share, and keep handy. Inside you’ll find:
A safe sleep infographic
A practical checklist of tips for reducing risks at home.
A resource list for maternal mental health, doula care, and community-based family support.
