Safety
Safe sleep essentials every parent should know
Safe sleep practices have dramatically reduced infant sleep-related deaths over the last 30 years. Here's the modern checklist, in plain language. This is a general guide — always follow advice from your own pediatrician.
The ABCs of safe sleep
- A — Alone. Baby sleeps in their own space, no co-sleeping in adult beds.
- B — On the Back. For every sleep, day and night, until at least 12 months.
- C — In a Crib. Or bassinet/Moses basket meeting current safety standards.
The sleep surface
- Firm, flat, level surface — no incline.
- A fitted sheet only. No bumpers, pillows, duvets, or stuffed toys.
- No loose blankets — use a sleep sack for warmth.
Room and environment
- Room temperature around 16–20°C / 61–68°F.
- Dress baby in one more layer than you're comfortable in.
- Smoke-free environment, before and after birth.
- Room-share (not bed-share) for at least the first 6 months.
Other things that reduce risk
- Breastfeeding, where possible, even partially.
- Offering a pacifier at sleep time (once feeding is established).
- Up-to-date vaccinations.
- Plenty of supervised tummy time when awake.