Safe Infant Sleep Information from Metro Nashville Public Health

1 in 4 infant deaths in Davidson County are due to unsafe sleep conditions. Across Tennessee in 2013, 117 infants died due to unsafe sleep practices. Unfortunately, the presence of blankets or toys contributed to almost 30% of the statewide sleep-related deaths.

Fortunately, infant sleep-related deaths can be prevented by supporting families’ consistent adoption of safe sleep practices for every child, every time, and everywhere.

A baby’s ‘sleep area’ can affect their risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation.

Learn how to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death by creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.

Safe Sleep for baby: Easy as A-B-C and 1-2-3

A: Alone. Baby should not sleep with adults, children, toys, bumper pads, blankets, etc. to prevent accidental suffocation.

B: Back. Place baby to sleep on his/her back every time.

C: Crib, bassinett, pack n play. Use a firm mattress and tight fitting sheet. Do not use car seats, strollers, swings and other sitting devices as a regular sleep area. Share your room but not your bed.

Babies should not be exposed to smoke during pregnancy or after. Smoke exposure triples infants’ risk of SIDS.

1. First hand smoke- Smoking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, preterm labor, low birth weight and birth defects.
2. Second Hand smoke (smoke from another’s cigarette) - An infant exposed to second hand smoke can cause asthma, pneumonia, ear infections and increase risk of SIDS.
3. Third hand smoke (gas particles from smoke that stick to surfaces such as; hair, clothing, furniture, etc.) - Third hand smoke exposure can cause respiratory issues after birth, asthma, bronchitis, learning disorders, and pneumonia in infants.