Welcome!

This blog is my first step in what I call a "put up or shut-up" effort. I seem to be on my soapbox in regards to the infant mortality rate in Milwaukee quite frequently, (which in and of itself, is a statement) but not actually DOING anything. So, please be patient while I get this site in order, sifting through the research, statistics and help available for tired parents.

So, who I am I? I am a high school history teacher by day and mom of 4 by night. I am very well aware of what it means to be sooo tired you just want to will the baby to sleep. I was lucky, my kids were always very good sleepers. Even my youngest who was a 29 weeker, slept through the night by the time she had been home for 6 weeks. I also feel I must state that all of mine slept in their own crib. We did not feel comfortable co-sleeping. But, I realize that babies are not a one-size-fits-all scenario.

So, here is what my research has found so far:

• United States Infant mortality rate:

1. total: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births
2. country comparison to the world: 180
3. male: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births
4. female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

• There were 501 infant deaths in Wisconsin in 2008.
• There were 72,002 babies born in Wisconsin in 2008.
• While information for 2009 is not yet available, data from the state Department of Health and Family Services showing that the total number of infants who died in Milwaukee increased from 111 in 2007 to 120 in 2008. Milwaukee's infant mortality rate increased from 9.8 per 1,000 live births in 2007 to 10.7 in 2008.
• The number of deaths related to unsafe sleep environments dropped, from 31 in 2007 to 16 in 2008. On average, 23 infants a year have been killed in sleep-related incidents since 2001.
• There were 3 co-sleeping deaths in Milwaukee County since Christmas Day 2009 until January 11, 2010 and 5 co-sleeping deaths in Southeastern Wisconsin as of today. This follows a rash of co-sleeping related deaths in 2009.
• My Livy was one of 898 babies born with a birthweight under 1500 grams in the state of Wisconsin in 2008.