A SIDS risk reduction practice is threatened.

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At First Candle we are committed to promoting activities and practices that help to reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

One of these is breastfeeding.  Not only does breastfeeding reduce the rate of SIDS by 50% and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) but breastfeeding helps mom recover quicker from childbirth and lowers the risk of:

  • Breast cancer.
  • Ovarian cancer.
  • Endometrial cancer.
  • Thyroid cancer.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of postpartum depression which has dramatically increased since 2020 and impacts the safety of the baby.

A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that participants who fed their infants formula had 92% greater odds of screening positive for depression and 73% greater odds to screen positive for major depressive symptoms compared to those who breastfed or bottle-fed with their own human milk.

The evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding is incontrovertible which is why we are extremely concerned about the possible action by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to significantly change or even ban nursing pillows. Nursing pillows are safely depended on millions of times a day by mothers and caregivers to aid in breastfeeding their babies. Without this support, breastfeeding could very well become too difficult for mothers, and they will simply give up.

We are calling on our community to help us prevent what could be a significant impediment to SIDS risk reduction. 

Here’s how you can help:

Learn more about this issue at the Breastfeeding Infant Development Support Alliance site.

Fill in the form on this page to send a letter to your Representative letting them know you want to #savethepillow.

Today, moms need more support – not less –  to help them raise healthy babies and stay healthy themselves.