Infant Safe Sleep

In 2023, one out of every three infant deaths in Davidson County are due to sleep-related suffocation.

Unsafe sleeping environments are the leading causes of preventable death in infants. More than 90% of deaths occurred because babies had items in their bed such as blankets, bumper pads, pillows or stuffed animals, all of which can pose a suffocation risk. More than 60% of infant deaths occurred when the infant was sleeping with another person.

Infant suffocations deaths can be prevented by supporting families consistent use of safe sleep practices for every child, every time, and everywhere.

Safe Sleep: Easy as A-B-C

To make your baby’s sleep safer, remember ALONE, BACK, CRIB:

A—Alone. Baby should be alone in their sleep area. Not with adults (co-sleeping), children, toys, pets, bumper pads, blankets, etc. to prevent accidental suffocation.
B—Back. Place baby to sleep on his/her back every time.
C—Crib, bassinet, 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 sleeping area. Share your room but not your bed.

Effects of smoking around infants

Babies should not be exposed to smoke during pregnancy or after. Smoke exposure triples infants’ risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) and sleep-related suffocation.

1—Firsthand smoke- Smoking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, preterm labor, low birth weight and birth defects.
2—Secondhand smoke (smoke from another’s cigarette) – When an infant is exposed to secondhand smoke, it 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.