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What is Safe Sleep?

Help Your Baby Sleep Safely

To sleep safely, babies should be:

  • On their back
  • In their own crib or bassinet that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
  • On a firm sleep surface with no loose bedding
  • In a sleep sack or onesie
  • In the room with sober caregivers

If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier, or sling, you should move them to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible.

To sleep safely, babies should NOT be:

  • On their stomach or side
  • In an adult bed, especially with adults who have been using substances
  • On a couch
  • Under a blanket
  • On a pillow
  • With stuffed animals
  • In a crib with bumper pads
  • Near tobacco smoke

Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics

FAQs

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  1. To help prevent sudden infant deaths, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants should sleep on flat and firm surfaces. Babies should sleep by themselves, without any bumpers, soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed toys. Crib bumpers and inclined infant sleeper products can cause a baby to suffocate. 

    Crib bumpers are unnecessary and can cause a baby to suffocate by being trapped between the bumper and the mattress. Inclined sleepers, sometimes called baby nests, pods, or rockers can cause a baby to fall asleep with their chin on their chest, which can make it so the baby can't breathe well. These should not be used. The Safe Cribs Act was signed into law in May 2022 and will soon make it illegal to sell, distribute, manufacture or import crib bumpers and inclined sleep products.

    • Check the CPSC website to make sure your crib hasn't been recalled, especially if it's used.

    • Make sure your crib mattress is designed for your specific crib and that it fits tightly. Use a fitted sheet only—nothing else should be in the crib with your baby.

    • Don't use a crib that doesn't have instructions, is missing hardware or that's broken.

  3. Based on the evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC do not recommend bed-sharing with your baby under any circumstances. It is, however, recommended that parents and caregivers share a room with their baby for at least the first 6 months. This is safer than bed-sharing.