Cradling Equity: Promoting Safe Sleep & Breastfeeding to Reduce Black Infant Mortality

Cradling Equity: Promoting Safe Sleep & Breastfeeding to Reduce Black Infant Mortality

Melissa Bell Klitzman, MD, MAS, FAAP

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Pediatric NICU Hospitalist Attending

IUH Perinatal Network Healthcare Quality Consultant

Division of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine | Department of Pediatrics

Riley Hospital for Children at the Maternity Tower NICU 

Measurable learning objectives

1.      Understand disparities in Black infant mortality rates by examining the impact of disparities in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) and breastfeeding rates.

2.      Explain the historical and systemic factors that have contributed to lower rates of human milk use and breastfeeding within Black communities, including medical racism, policy barriers, and cultural influences.

3.      Identify common barriers to safe sleep and breastfeeding in Black communities.

4.      Propose evidence-based, multi-level interventions from healthcare systems, community organizations, and policy advocacy perspectives to address these disparities.