Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital wears pjs to raise awareness on safe sleep habits for infants
They rallied communities nationwide for the first PJs for Safe Sleep awareness day.
“Across the hospital, staff wore pajamas to work to spark conversations about safe infant sleep — an issue that’s become increasingly urgent, with Tennessee seeing a 71 percent rise in sleep related infant deaths from 2024 to 2025,” said Elisabeth Jordan, the hospital’s account coordinator.
Created by Safe Kids Worldwide, a long-time partner of the hospital, “Dolly Children’s also encouraged local families to join in and stop by the onsite safe sleep education tent, where caretakers can learn best practices and receive sleep machines to support healthy routines.”
“This is the first time we are celebrating,” Dr. Natalia Havasy, public information officer and director of marketing and community benefit with DPCH, said. “Cribs for Kids created a day called PJs for Safe Sleep, and it is an infant sleep awareness day.
“We are paying attention to infant safe sleep, and it’s a huge point of discussion,” she said. “Sadly, a lot of infant injuries and infant deaths come to us and happen here, but a lot of it is so preventable.
“So, by participating in this day, wearing pjs and doing something fun, it’s a really easy visual for us to give to families to show them, ‘Hey, we’re trying to teach you something really educational,’” Havasy said. “Just a couple tips can really prevent your child from possibly getting injured or even dying.
“There are 3,500 infant deaths in regard to safe sleep in the nation,” she said. “Annually, it’s been increasing. Just a few years ago, that number was 100 less. And, it’s a huge problem in the state of Tennessee.
“So, it’s a huge problem that needs to be addressed for sure,” Havasy added. “A lot of times it is due to lack of education or lack of understanding why the education’s out there.
“I think a lot of people think ‘my baby is cold; I should maybe give them a blanket in their crib,’” she related. “We don’t want to give them a blanket because they can suffocate.”
“We suggest smaller things to make them warm,” Havasy said. “Put the babies in sleep sacks or dress them in long-sleeve layers, things like that, to make sure their baby is warm and safe and there’s no obstruction to their airways.”
Also, “our No. 1 thing we always say is remember your ABCs,” Havasy said. “That means alone, on their backs in a crib.”
She explained that means the infant is alone in the crib — no blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or no sound machine.
However, Havasy said pacifiers have been known to help with breathing.
She advised having the child on his or her back to help make sure the airways are clear.
“That’s actually a change from decades ago,” Havasy said.
Regarding where they sleep, she recommended a crib or portable one — not a large bed with a parent, a car seat, infant carrier or anything in which they can get wrapped.
Concerning car seats, “you really should transfer them to a safe, flat space,” Havasy advised. “The incline can also be a hindrance on their airways outside of the car.”
