NE Fla. infant mortality rate rose in 2013

115 of 256 deaths were stillbirths

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the second year in a row, northeast Florida's infant mortality rate has increased, from seven deaths to eight deaths per every 1,000 births, and remains higher than the state's rate.

The Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition released its findings Thursday at a community meeting in Jacksonville, saying that stillbirths and sleep-related deaths account for most of the infant deaths.

"When a baby dies, it not only affects that parent, but it affect the family and the entire community," said Marsha Davis, community development director for the coalition.

According to the latest report, there were 256 infant deaths in northeast Florida in 2013, and 115 of those were stillbirths, while 141 of those were by other circumstances. That's up by two deaths since 2010.

"We're really concerned that our infant mortality rate in northeast Florida has risen," said Jennifer Gornto, executive director of the coalition.

Because more infant deaths are being attributed to sleep-related incidents like sudden infant death syndrome, the coalition is making it one of their main focuses.

"We're really trying to increase our education in the community about the impact of co-sleeping, the impact of a baby sleeping in a safe environment," Gornto said.

The coalition is currently working on several programs and campaigns to get the community involved in promoting prenatal care, and educating families on how to keep infants safe.

Davis said it's important to make sure there aren't too many blankets or other items in the crib that could suffocate the baby.

"It's alright to have cute things in the bed for the baby, but when it's time for the baby to go to sleep, those things need to go out so they can have their own space," Davis said.

The coalition used to have a Moses program that would provide free bassinets and cribs to mothers in need in the community. That funding has been cut, and it's working to bring it back.

To contribute to the program, go to nefhealthystart.org/donate.