Each March, families around the world observe World Sleep Week and in the UK, Safer Sleep Week (led by The Lullaby Trust) to bring focused attention to infant sleep safety.
The goal is simple but powerful: raise awareness about safe sleep practices that help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.
In honor of Safer Sleep Week, here are 12 evidence-based ways to create a safer sleep environment for your baby. These are also great reminders to share with grandparents, caregivers, and anyone helping care for your little one.
Did you know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 3,7500 sleep-related deaths among U.S. babies each year, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and other unknown causes.
Baby safe sleep guidelines
1. Put your baby on a firm, flat mattress
Your baby should always sleep on a flat, firm surface with a tight-fitting sheet. Soft mattresses, couches, armchairs, or adult beds increase the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
If you’re holding your baby and feel yourself getting sleepy (we’ve all been there), move them to their crib or bassinet before you drift off.
2. Avoid letting your baby sleep in swings or loungers
According to Dr. Nilong Vyas (M.D., Pediatrician), founder of Sleepless at NOLA, “It is not safe for your child to sleep in a swing or any other device outside of a crib. Often, babies can slip down out of the restraints (if they are not restrained appropriately), and it can cause injury.
Dr. Vyas further adds, “ They can also get themselves into a position that can compromise their airway. Your infant should sleep on its back, in a crib, with only the mattress, the sheet, the baby, and a few pacifiers.”
Swings are okay for your child’s gentle play, under supervision, of course. But when your baby falls asleep, move them to a firm and flat surface.
3. Limit sleep in car seats outside the car
It’s common for babies to fall asleep in their car seats during car rides. However, once you arrive at your destination, it’s safest to move them from their car seat to a crib or bassinet.
Babies (younger than 4 months old) can’t hold up their heads and neck and can often slump forward in the car seat. It increases the risk of positional asphyxia, in which the position of a baby’s body blocks their airway and leads to potential suffocation. Learn more about car seat safety guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
4. Keep the crib clear
A safe crib is a simple crib.
According to a survey by The Lullaby Trust, “Over one in three parents have bought a baby sleep product they’ve seen on social media that goes against safer sleep advice.”
Even though the styled nursery photos of a crib filled with cute little stuffed animals and toys can melt your heart, sometimes they don’t follow safety guidelines.
Say no to:
- Loose blankets
- Pillows
- Stuffed animals
- Crib bumpers
- Positioners
Safe sleep spaces are intentionally minimal. Babies can’t pull a blanket or toy up or down if it’s restricting their breathing. It increases the risk of suffocation while sleeping. Read up on when your baby can safely sleep with a blanket.
5. Maintain a comfortable room temperature
A room temperature between 68°F and 72°F (20–22°C) is generally recommended, though comfort can vary slightly by baby.
Dr. Anna Cornish, Medical Director, Ambulatory General Pediatrics, Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health, says, “Many parents believe that infants need to be kept extra warm and bundled at all times. These factors may raise an infant’s body temperature to levels that interfere with the brain’s ability to control temperatures and breathing, contributing to an increased risk of SIDS.”
Find a sweet middle spot: a room temperature that’s neither too hot nor too cold. You might want to invest in an indoor thermometer for measuring your sweetie’s bedroom temperature since it provides more accurate readings than a thermostat.
6. Always place your baby on their back
The safest sleep position for babies under one year old is on their back for naps and nighttime sleep.
Once your baby can roll both ways independently, you don’t need to reposition them if they roll during sleep. But always start every sleep on their back.
7. Avoid head coverings during sleep
Sami Amundsen, a registered nurse, and co-founder of Birth Halo, advises, “It’s important to help maintain a newborn’s temperature with head coverings (and skin-to-skin) in the first weeks to maintain a temperature above 97.9. However, after the delicate newborn stage, using a head covering during sleep is a major modifiable risk factor associated with SIDS.”
While newborns may wear hats briefly after birth to regulate temperature, head coverings during sleep at home are not recommended beyond the early newborn stage. Keeping it uncovered helps prevent overheating.
8. Avoid overdressing
It’s a common instinct to bundle babies, especially newborns, but too many layers can increase overheating risk. Extra clothing layers can make your little one uncomfortable and can make it more challenging for them to breathe correctly.
Amundsen says, “The most common mistake I see is overdressing an infant. In general, infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no greater than one layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable in that environment.”
Add or remove the layers depending on the climate and external temperature. If you’re comfortable, your baby likely is too.
Tip: Sleep sacks (instead of loose blankets) are a safer alternative if extra warmth is needed.
9. Share a room, not a bed
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, ideally up to one year.
Having your baby sleep in the same room but on a separate, safe surface has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS and makes nighttime response easier.
10. Skip crib bumpers
For the longest time, pediatricians have advised against crib bumpers, as they increase the risk of suffocation when babies are sleeping. In 2022, crib bumpers were banned from sale in the US under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.
They do not prevent injuries and increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.
11. Consider offering a pacifier at sleep time
Pacifier use during naps and bedtime has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
If breastfeeding, you may choose to introduce a pacifier after feeding is well established. Never attach a pacifier to clothing or around your baby’s neck with a string or a clip.
12. Choose a crib that meets current safety standards
Ensure your crib, bassinet, or sleep space meets current safety guidelines set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Babies need a rocking or swinging motion to fall asleep because these motions remind them of their time in the womb and, thus, feel familiar to them. Cradlewise smart crib’s bounce motion is similar to how a parent would rock their child to sleep. It’s a safe and effective solution to help your little one fall asleep and, more importantly, get longer stretches of high-quality rest.
If using a sleep solution with movement, make sure it maintains a flat, firm sleep surface and adheres to safe sleep recommendations.
A Gentle Reminder
Safe sleep doesn’t require perfection. It requires thought and consistency.
The safest sleep space is:
- On the back
- On a firm, flat surface
- In a clear crib
- In the same room as you
If you ever feel unsure, your pediatrician is your best resource.
This Safer Sleep Week, consider sharing these reminders with caregivers and family members. Awareness saves lives and small, consistent choices make a meaningful difference.
We hope these tips help you create a safe sleeping environment for your little one. 💜
FAQs
Q: What is safe sleep for babies?
A: Safe sleep for babies means placing your baby on their back, on a firm and flat surface, in a clear crib or bassinet without loose bedding or soft items. These practices reduce the risk of SIDS and sleep-related infant deaths.
Q: When can babies sleep with a blanket?
A: Loose blankets should not be used until after 12 months of age. Before then, a wearable blanket or sleep sack is the safer alternative.
Q: Is room sharing safer than bed sharing?
A: Yes. Room sharing without bed sharing is recommended for at least the first 6 months because it lowers the risk of sleep-related infant deaths while keeping your baby close.
Q: Can my baby sleep on their stomach if they roll over?
A: Always place your baby on their back at the start of sleep. If they can roll both ways independently and roll onto their stomach, you don’t need to reposition them.
Q: Can my baby sleep in a swing or bouncer?
A: No. Swings, bouncers, and inclined sleepers are not safe for unsupervised sleep. If your baby falls asleep in one, transfer them to a firm, flat sleep surface.
Q: How do I know if my baby is too hot while sleeping?
A: Check your baby’s chest or neck. If they feel sweaty or hot, remove a layer. Dress your baby in no more than one additional layer than an adult would wear.
Q: Does using a pacifier reduce the risk of SIDS?
A: Research suggests that offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime may reduce the risk of SIDS. If breastfeeding, wait until feeding is well established before introducing one.
You may also like to read:
- Why you shouldn’t sleep train before age 1: What science says about your baby’s sleep and brain development
- The importance of tummy time and safe sleep practices
- Rediscovering intimacy and sex after birth: A guide for new parents
Sources:
- SIDS and sleep-related infant deaths. CDC Reproductive Health. 2024. Helping Babies Sleep Safely.
- Room sharing reduces the risk of SIDS. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2026. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
- Protective effect of pacifiers on the incidence of SIDS. National Library of Medicine. 2004. Do pacifiers reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? A meta-analysis.
- CPSC standards when purchasing a crib or mattress. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2011. “Retailers required to sell only cribs that meet CPSC’s new crib standards.”
