Safe Sleep Basics

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep for naps and nighttime.
• Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable play yard.
• Keep the sleep area free of toys, pillows, blankets, bumpers, and loose items.
• Consider using a sleep sack instead of loose blankets.
• Keep your baby’s sleep space in the same room as you for at least 6 months.
• Offer a pacifier at naps and bedtime (after breastfeeding is established).

Common Sleep Mistakes to Avoid

• Never place a baby on their side or stomach to sleep.
• Avoid soft sleep surfaces such as couches, armchairs, or adult beds.
• Do not use sleep positioners or wedges—they are unsafe.
• Never cover the baby's head or face while sleeping.
• Do not let your baby sleep in a car seat, swing, or bouncer outside supervised use.

Creating a Healthy Sleep Environment

• Maintain a room temperature between 68–72°F to avoid overheating.
• Ensure the crib or bassinet is away from cords, blinds, and other hazards.
• Use a firm fitted sheet on the mattress; no pillows or loose blankets.
• White noise machines at low volume can help soothe but avoid loud or high-frequency devices.
• Keep the sleep area smoke-free and maintain good air circulation.

Sleep Tips & Tricks

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine to signal sleep time.
• Keep nighttime interactions calm and quiet to help babies learn day/night difference.
• Swaddling is helpful for newborns but stop once baby can roll over.
• Offer daytime naps in a safe, consistent space to build healthy sleep habits.
• Monitor signs of sleep regression around growth spurts—it's normal.

Additional Resources

• 💜 NIH Safe to Sleep Campaign
• 💜 American Academy of Pediatrics - Safe Sleep
• 💜 Back to Resources Hub