Mama Bracelets to Raise Funds for SIDS Awareness; Says, "It Takes a Community to Raise a Child..."

Naperville, IL, April 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Mama Bracelets has been in contact with the owner of "Maddie's Mom Made This" (Kellie Staats) developing a business relationship that will ultimately benefit the American SIDS Institute.

Kellie Staats started her online business, "Maddie's Mom Made That" following the untimely passing of her 4-month old daughter, Madison, to SIDS. Hundreds of people and many businesses have come to the side of the Staats Family; offering emotional, physical and financial support. Kellie had kept a personal blog for quite some time before Maddie's passing and this blog continues to detail the emotions, feelings and experiences of the Staats family.

Mama Bracelets, LLC, owned by Lindsay Casten of Naperville, IL, has created the "Maddie Angel" Bracelet that carries a 25% donation of all sales generated from this bracelet (through March 31, 2011) directly to the Staats Family. This is the same bracelet that brought in over $1900 for the March "Tiny Wings Auction" hosted on Facebook that benefited the Staats Family.

Recently, The Staats family joined the American SIDS Institute by creating a team (in memory and honor of their late daughter) called, "Team M." They have become advocates for the dissemination of awareness and information regarding the facts on SIDS as well as ways for prevention.

Mama Bracelets contacted "Maddie's Mom Made That" and the two companies agreed to partner in the cause for raising awareness of the devastating SIDS phenomena. Mama Bracelets has agreed to create a bracelet that will be available from April 1, 2011 until April 29, 2011 (the date of the "Spring for SIDS Awareness" event). They further offered that 20% of all sales from this bracelet to be donated to "Team M" (along with Mama Bracelet's owner making a personal donation) in efforts to raise awareness about SIDS to the public.

"We felt that anyone who buys this bracelet would be benefitting a worthwhile cause in addition providing a reminder that life is precious. The bracelets represent the idea that we can make a difference if we are aware. It's our hope that if a person is wearing the bracelet, someone might ask for the story behind it, and the person wearing the bracelet can educate someone else about SIDS (about its myths and realities)," says Michael Casten, Mama Bracelets PR Rep.

Casten continues, "The information we have about SIDS lends itself well to educating all people about it. It is important for us to keep this information on the forefront of our minds when we are caring for infants. It's important to share this information with everyone. Communicating with Kellie has really opened my eyes to the myths and realities of SIDS. Mama Bracelets is proud to sponsor the efforts of "Team M" and the American Institute of SIDS."

Mama Bracelets has posted information on their blog each day starting on Sunday, 3.27.11 up to the launch of the donation bracelet sale. "We wanted to keep people informed about SIDS so when they bought the 'HALO' bracelet, they were not only giving to a worthwhile cause, but also educating themselves. The bracelet can then serve as a reminder of their donation as well as a reminder for what they learned and can share," explains Casten.

There are about 4,000,000 babies born each year. Nearly 7 babies pass due to SIDS each day (that's around 2,500 per year). Some basic facts about SIDS (taken from http://www.cjsids.org) are:

*SIDS is not caused by 'baby shots,' suffocation, choking, smothering, child abuse or neglect.
*SIDS deaths occur unexpectedly & quickly to apparently healthy infants from all races/socioeconomic levels. It usually occurs during sleep.
*SIDS cannot be predicted or prevented. It can happen to any baby, in spite of the parents doing everything correctly.

For many, the last bullet can be the most frightening. While it is true that SIDS cannot be predicted, the way one cares for an infant can certainly reduce the risk of SIDS (and other Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths: aka SUID). The CJ Foundation provides excellent guidelines for parents/caregivers while caring for infants:

*When putting a baby down to sleep, always lay your baby face up (on their backs) in an approved crib on a firm mattress.
*Never smoke near an infant as smoking is a Major risk factor for SIDS.
*Don't let your baby get too hot or sleep on soft things (couches, pillows, etc.) or share sleep surfaces (parent/sibling bed-sharing)
*Create a healthy lifestyle for both you and your baby.
*if possible, breast feed your baby (this has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS), offer your baby a pacifier, and practice "Tummy Time" with your baby.

*One the most Important things we can all do is to Share this information.

"Awareness and communication can make all the difference... as we all know, it's takes a community to raise a child," says Casten, "Mama Bracelets feels that it, as a business, can reach out to many people and we are grateful for the opportunity."

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