My Top Safe Sleep Tips For Babies

Find out all my safe Sleep tips for babies.

Here I will detail the top Safe Sleep Tips For Babies. The things you need to know to play it safe and give you peace of mind when your baby is sleeping. Having an amazing sleeper is wonderful, but I also want you to have a safe sleeper.

Please use my safe sleep tips for babies 0-12 months as a quick reference and reminder for safe sleep. 

Please note I update my list according to the most up-to-date info from the American academy of pediatrics.

List of Safe Sleep Tips for Babies. 

A Safe Sleep surface is –

• Firm (No need for mattress cushions or pillow tops)

• Flat (Even for reflux babies or babies with upper respiratory infections, an elevated position is not safe for sleep.)

• Labeled as a cot, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard (No loungers, sleepers, nappers, or surfaces by any other name are approved.)

• Clear of weighted products of any kind, any loose bedding, blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows

• Free of any positional devices (No Boppy, SnuggleMe, Organic, etc.

• More than an arm’s length away from windows, furniture, and cords

• His/her own space (Not bed-sharing with parents or siblings)

To be safe a cot must have –

• No gaps around the edges of the mattress

• No bumpers

• Fitted sheets on the mattress

• Slats no more than 2 ⅜ inch apart

• No drop-down sides

• Cot mattress at the appropriate height (When baby begins to sit independently, cot rail should be at mid-chest or higher on baby in the standing position.)

Safe use of  a bassinet –

• Only use with the mattress sold specifically with it (applies to play yards too)

• Transition when baby outgrows it (Weight/length limits OR when baby can sit, climb, or roll out)

Swaddling should be –

• Snug around the chest, but still allow for your hand to slide inside

• Loose around the hips

• Secure (Swaddles that are velcro or zip can help to ensure that babies are secure.)

• Stop using when the baby shows signs of rolling. Check out my newborn guide The Essential Newborn Sleep & Nutrition Guide

• Only in non-weighted swaddles

Newborn baby should be –

• Placed on back for sleep for the entire first year

• Allowed to sleep on his tummy if he/she rolls there independently

• Offered a dummy at nap time and bedtime

• Nothing loose in cot – no blankets, teddies, sleep bags or toys

• Dressed appropriately for the room temp

When sleeping outside of the cot – 

• If baby falls asleep in a car seat, swing, carrier, or stroller, baby is moved to flat, firm sleep surface as soon as safe and practical (as specifically recommended by the AAP

• Car sleep is safe when car seat is in the car, car seat is installed/used properly, and baby is buckled as directed. – Baby must NOT be swaddled in car seat. – No positioners, padding, toys, etc. in car seat other than what was sold with that particular car seat.

• If baby is in a car seat outside of the car, these must all apply: – Baby must remain properly buckled. – Baby’s face should be entirely visible to a watching caretaker at all times. – Car seat should be placed in the big portion of shopping cart or in an approved adapter for a stroller. – Remove baby from car seat once you arrive home or to your destination.