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Oklahoma continues to take positive steps to reduce infant deaths.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has announced that the State’s infant mortality rate has decreased by 17-percent since 2007. That equates to 183 more babies able to spend their first birthday with their families. The national IMR is 5.9-percent, and the OSDH said they still have a long way to go to get there.

The accomplishment, however, is the result of a number of programs including the Preparing for a Lifetime program, and the statewide initiative called “It's Everyone’s Responsibility.” Key messages of the initiative are:

• Being healthy before and between pregnancies greatly improves the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
• Having a full-term pregnancy and breastfeeding offers a baby the best start in life.
• Recognizing the signs and getting help for maternal mood disorders can improve health for both mother and baby.
• Placing baby on his/her back to sleep alone in a crib and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke decreases the risk of SIDS.
• Knowing how to prevent leading causes of injury, such as correctly installing infant car seats, helps keep baby safe and secure.
• Learning what to do if the baby will not stop crying may help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Improvements in priorities, including a dramatic decrease in the rate of teen births and a significant reduction in smoking rates among pregnant women also has contributed to fewer infant deaths.

During September, which is Infant Mortality Awareness Month, the Preparing for a Lifetime initiative will celebrate its 10th anniversary by moving forward together and remaining committed to the health and wellness of Oklahoma’s moms, babies and families.