KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 13, 2026) (WOKI) — The recently renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital (Dolly Children’s), formerly East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, is proud to participate in the first ever “Safe Kids Worldwide“ awareness day on April 16, encouraging hospitals around the country to join them in wearing pajamas to work as a visible reminder of safe sleep practices for infants.
Created by Safe Kids Worldwide, a longtime partner of Dolly Children’s, “PJs for Safe Sleep” aims to raise national awareness of safe sleep environments and reduce preventable sleep-related deaths. The observance is intentionally aligned with National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, sparking conversations about safe sleep on a day naturally associated with rest and bedtime routines. By wearing pajamas to work, school or at home, participants help raise awareness of everyday practices that help keep babies safe.
This day of awareness comes at a critical time, with infant sleep-related deaths rising 71% in Tennessee from 2024 to 2025, according to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center (RFC). RFC also notes that unintentionally unsafe sleeping environments — such as co-sleeping and letting infants sleep on their sides or stomachs — are major factors contributing to preventable sleep-related deaths across the U.S. However, many caregivers don’t know these practices are dangerous until it’s too late. Aiming to reverse that trend statewide and nationwide, Dolly Children’s staff will host an on-site education tent where families can learn about safe sleep practices and receive sleep machines to support healthy routines at home.
“Far too many families in our state — and around the country — experience the unimaginable loss of a baby due to unsafe sleep situations, and we see the impact of those tragedies every year at Dolly Children’s,” said Adam Cook, Chief Development and Public Affairs Officer. “That’s why ‘PJs for Safe Sleep’ matters so much to us. By turning something as simple and joyful as wearing pajamas to work into a conversation starter, we’re helping our community keep their babies safe and healthy. We’re proud to stand together in pajamas, in partnership with families and hospitals nationwide, to help prevent these entirely avoidable trauma events.”
Throughout the day, Dolly Children’s will highlight staff participation on its social media channels, sharing photos and videos of hospital teams wearing their favorite pajamas. Follow @DollyChildrens on Instagram and Facebook to see employees taking part, and explore the hospital’s evidence-based safe sleep resources, designed to help parents create the healthiest sleep environment for their babies.
For more details about the hospital’s ongoing work and partnerships to improve the health and well-being of children, visit DollyChildrens.org.
About Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, formerly known as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, is a free-standing, independent, not-for-profit pediatric health care system that serves the East
Tennessee region and beyond. Dolly Children’s is certified by the state of Tennessee as a
Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center. Our vision is to take care of our future, one child at a time. For more information, visit DollyChildrens.org.
