Set up the sleep space
Use a crib, bassinet, play yard or other infant sleep product that meets applicable federal safety requirements. Use the mattress designed for that product, follow its instructions and check for recalls, missing parts or damage. Do not add padding or modify the surface to make it softer.
An adult bed, couch or armchair is not an infant sleep space. NICHD explains why sleep surfaces need to be firm, flat and level: soft surfaces and an inclined position can obstruct breathing. A surface that seems comfortable to an adult can pose a serious risk to a baby.
The sleep area needs no pillow, blanket, stuffed toy, bumper or positioner. A fitted sheet is enough. Use appropriate clothing rather than adding loose bedding, and avoid weighted sleep products.
Back to sleep; a separate space nearby
Start every sleep on the back. Side positioning is not an alternative. The AAP recommends room sharing without sharing a sleep surface, ideally for at least the first six months. Put the baby's appropriate sleep space near the adult bed so feeding and comforting do not require moving to another room.
The AAP's safe sleep guidance for families also explains other recommendations concerning overheating, smoke exposure, pacifiers, health care and feeding. Read the complete guidance rather than treating this page as a checklist of every recommendation.
Common questions about sleep
What if my baby rolls over?
Continue to place the baby on their back at the start of sleep. When a baby can roll comfortably in both directions, the AAP says you do not need to keep turning them back after they roll independently. Keep the sleep area clear. Stop swaddling as soon as the baby shows signs of trying to roll; do not wait for a successful roll or use a positioner to prevent movement.
What if my baby falls asleep in a swing or sitting device?
Sitting and carrying devices are not a regular sleep space. Move the baby to an appropriate firm, flat sleep surface on their back as soon as possible. Use a car safety seat correctly for travel; do not turn it into the baby's sleep space at home.
Does watching the baby make a lounger suitable for sleep?
Supervision does not establish that a product meets infant sleep requirements. Check its intended use and official safety information. Words in an advertisement, a comfortable appearance or a recommendation from another family do not replace product instructions and safety standards. CPSC's infant sleep product guidance links to recall information and describes products intended for sleep.
Can a monitor make an unsafe arrangement safe?
No. The AAP advises against using consumer cardiorespiratory monitors as a way to reduce SIDS risk. A device should not change the sleep arrangement or replace the guidance above. If a clinician has prescribed medical monitoring, follow that individual care plan and discuss sleep questions with the clinician.
What if my baby has reflux?
NICHD recommends back sleeping on a firm, flat, level surface for babies with reflux, too. Raising the crib mattress is not an effective reflux solution and can create a dangerous position. Its back sleeping explanation addresses worries about spit-up and explains the recommendation. Speak with the baby's clinician about a medical concern; do not add a wedge or change the sleep position yourself.
What should we arrange for a visit away from home?
Know where the baby will sleep before you arrive. The same product requirements and clear sleep area apply to a daytime nap at a relative's house or an overnight stay. If you are bringing a portable product, check its instructions, condition and limits, and set it up correctly. Do not improvise with couch cushions because the visit is brief.
Prepare for feeding when you are tired
Think about tired moments before they happen. Feeding or comforting on a couch or armchair is especially dangerous if an adult falls asleep with the baby. Return the baby to their own sleep area before you sleep.
If there is a chance you could fall asleep while feeding in bed, NICHD advises removing pillows, blankets and other items that could cover the baby's face or obstruct breathing. This does not make bed sharing recommended or safe. If you fall asleep, move the baby back to their own sleep space as soon as you wake. Read NICHD's full feeding and sleep environment explanation and discuss practical difficulties with your care team.
Show another caregiver the arrangement
Before handing over care, point out the actual sleep space and its instructions. You might say: “Please put the baby on their back here for every nap, with only the fitted sheet. If they fall asleep somewhere else, move them here.” Ask the caregiver to show you the arrangement they will use and raise any questions before you leave.
If the caregiver's setting has no appropriate sleep space, address that before care begins. An old family practice or an improvised cushion is not a substitute. Share the original guidance so the discussion is about the current recommendation and its reasons.
When an appropriate sleep space is hard to arrange
Tell your baby's care team or local social services agency what you need. Explain whether the problem is cost, space, temporary housing or a change in caregiving. Ask about assistance obtaining a suitable product and how to check it. Follow the support directory to official starting points; confirm local assistance directly.
Bring a specific product or arrangement question to the baby's clinician. The visit worksheet can help you record the question and the explanation.