How to Create a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Baby

Running on fumes? You’re in good company. Every new parent eventually Googles “how do I get my baby to sleep safely?” (usually sometime after midnight). The truth is, keeping your little one safe while they sleep isn’t complicated, but the internet is great at making it feel that way. That’s why we've pulled together a list of safe sleep do’s and don’ts, so you don’t have to sort through endless tabs (or your aunt’s unsolicited Facebook messages) to find what really matters.

Safe Sleep Guidelines for Babies

When it comes to your baby’s sleep space, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) set the gold standard. Their detailed guide, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe, lays out everything parents need to know for the first year. The basics can be summed up with a simple, A-B-C formula: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib (or bassinet) with a firm sleep surface.

This straightforward approach is proven to reduce sleep-related risks. While it’s tempting to make your little one’s sleep area extra cozy, the safest setup is a minimalist one—no pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers, or loose blankets. 

Other AAP-backed tips for creating a safe sleep space for your baby:

• Room-share for safety. Keep your little one close by sharing a room for at least the first 6 months (and ideally, up to the first year). Baby should snooze in their own safe spot—a crib, bassinet, or play yard—next to your bed.

• Skip the bed-sharing. Yes, it sounds snuggly, but it’s not safe to sleep with your baby in your bed. And definitely avoid falling asleep together on a couch, recliner, or armchair. Those spots are even riskier.

• Keep it bare. Your baby’s crib or bassinet should be a very bare setup: just the mattress and fitted sheet. That means no pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, bumpers, or toys.

• Swaddle smart. Baby burritos for the win! Swaddling can be great, just don’t wrap baby too tightly or too loosely. Stop swaddling once your little one shows signs of rolling over, and skip anything weighted (blankets, sleepers, or swaddles).

• Pacifiers get the green light. Once breastfeeding is going smoothly, you can offer a pacifier at naps and bedtime. Pacifiers can actually lower the risk of SIDS, even if it falls out mid-snooze.

• Dress just right. Overheating ups the risk of SIDS. A good rule of thumb? Baby only needs one layer more than you’d wear comfortably.

• Tummy time counts. Giving your baby daily tummy time builds muscle strength and supports motor development. Improving core strength will help them safely reposition themselves during sleep.

• Don’t depend on monitors. Those wearable baby monitors can bring peace of mind, but they’re not a proven way to prevent SIDS. They aren’t FDA-approved medical devices, so think of them as an extra tool, not a substitute for safe sleep practices. And fyi, FDA clearance and approval aren't the same thing.

• Skip the substances. Avoid alcohol and drugs during pregnancy and after birth—both put your baby at risk.

Pro parent tip: Since the Safe to Sleep campaign began, more babies are sleeping safely on their backs—which is exactly what we want! The tradeoff? Some little ones develop a flat spot on their head (positional plagiocephaly). Don’t panic! It’s usually mild and temporary, and back-sleeping is still the safest choice. You can help prevent flat spots and strengthen your baby’s neck by switching up the direction you lay them down. An easy trick: on odd days, place their head one way, and on even days, turn them the other. Simple, safe, and effective.

Understanding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of those terms that can stop parents in their tracks. The idea is scary, but it’s important to remember that SIDS is rare. According to the AAP, there are about 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths in the U.S. each year, and not all of those are SIDS. The good news: there are concrete, simple steps you can take to help lower your baby’s risk and create a safe sleep space.

What Is SIDS?

SIDS refers to the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby under one year of age, usually during sleep. While the exact cause is still unknown, new research suggests that differences in the brain areas that control breathing and arousal from sleep may play a role. Because there isn’t a single clear cause, experts focus on risk factors and prevention strategies that make a difference.

Risk Factors for SIDS

Certain factors can increase the risk of SIDS. These fall into both maternal and infant/environmental categories:

Maternal risk factors include:

• Young maternal age

• Smoking during pregnancy

• Substance use during pregnancy

• Little or no prenatal care

Infant and environmental risk factors include:

• Premature birth or low birth weight

• A sibling or close relative who died of SIDS

• Unsafe sleep practices, such as stomach sleeping, loose bedding, or bed-sharing

• Overheating during sleep

How to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

You can take many easy, proactive steps to create a safer sleep environment for your baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and AAP both recommend following the ABCs of safe sleep. In addition:

• Breastfeeding, even if you combo feed, has been shown to provide protective benefits.

• Make sure your baby sees their pediatrician regularly to stay on top of their growth and health.

• Dress your little one in sleepwear appropriate for the room temperature to prevent overheating.

Safe Baby Sleep Products

When it comes to safe sleep for babies, not all gear is created equal. That’s where the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) steps in for guidance. This federal agency helps protect families by setting safety standards for baby products, including cribs, bassinets, play yards, and bedside sleepers. They also issue recalls if a product poses a risk, so parents can stay updated on what’s safe (and what’s not).

In June 2022, the CPSC introduced stricter rules for sleep products: Any infant product sold or marketed for sleep must meet one or more federal safety standards. That means safer baby sleep products for your little one, and fewer anxiety spirals for you.

A few tips to help you shop smart:

• Choose new baby sleep gear when possible. New cribs, bassinets, or play yards are more likely to meet the latest safety standards.

• Check recalls on hand-me-downs. If you’re reusing or borrowing gear, search the CPSC recall list before putting your baby down to sleep.

• Know what not to buy. Items like inclined sleepers, crib bumpers, and positioners have been linked to safety risks and are not recommended for infant sleep.

• Stay in the loop. Safety standards evolve, so checking the latest guidelines before buying or setting up sleep products is always a good idea.

Cribs: The Gold Standard for Safe Sleep

Buying a new crib might feel like a splurge, but it’s one of the most important investments you’ll make for your baby’s safety. Why? Because the CPSC rolled out strict crib safety standards in 2011, and older models—even those passed down from generous family members—might not meet today’s regulations. Modern cribs are designed with multiple safety upgrades: stronger mattress supports, sturdier hardware, and slats that can withstand more than just the usual wear and tear. The most significant change? Drop-side cribs are no longer allowed, since they were linked to serious safety hazards.

Remember: your baby’s crib should be completely bare. That means no pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or bumper pads. Even products marketed to “make the crib cozier” (like liners or mattress toppers) can increase risks. The safest setup is simple: a crib, a firm mattress, and a fitted sheet.

Bassinets and Bedside Sleepers: Cozy for the Newborn Stage

Many parents love starting with a bassinet or bedside sleeper before moving their baby into a crib. These smaller sleep spaces are designed for the newborn months and must meet CPSC safety regulations. (Translation: avoid hand-me-down bassinets—safety standards have changed.)

When setting up your bassinet, make sure it has a firm, snug-fitting mattress with a fitted sheet, and keep the sleep space empty. Most bassinets are safe for babies up to 10–20 pounds or about 4–6 months, depending on the model. Once your little one shows signs of rolling over or pushing up, it’s time to make the move to the crib.

Play Yards: Portable and Practical

Play yards (sometimes called pack-and-plays) are real multitaskers—doubling as travel cribs, nap spots, and safe play spaces. The latest models must comply with CPSC play yard safety standards, which means breathable mesh sides, secure mattresses, and reinforced floors.

If you’re using a play yard for naps or overnight sleep, follow the same safe sleep guidelines as you would in a crib or bassinet: no toys, blankets, pillows, or mattress pads inside. Just a fitted sheet on the included mattress is all your baby needs.

Unsafe Baby Sleep Products: What to Avoid

Not every piece of baby gear that looks comfy is safe for sleep. According to the AAP, infants should always sleep on a firm, flat surface—anything with an incline greater than 10 degrees increases the risk of suffocation. That means some of the gear parents rely on for playtime or soothing doesn’t double as a safe sleep spot. Think of these products as daytime helpers, not nap time solutions.

Can my baby sleep in a swing?

Swings can be magic for a fussy baby—the soothing sway, the white noise, the brief moment to sit and do absolutely nothing. But swings keep babies in a semi-upright position, which isn’t safe for sleep. If your little one dozes off mid-swing, transfer them to a crib, bassinet, or play yard for safer snoozing.

Can my baby nap in a bouncer?

Lightweight, portable, and often a baby’s first “hangout” spot, bouncers are perfect for playtime. But like swings, their angled design makes them unsafe for sleep. If your baby nods off while bouncing, move them to a flat, firm surface to keep them safe.

Are inclined sleepers safe?

Inclined sleepers (sometimes marketed as “sleep wedges” or “nappers”) were once popular but are now banned in the U.S. because of their safety risks. They prop babies up at unsafe angles, which can compromise their airways. If you see one secondhand, it’s best to skip it entirely.

Can my baby sleep in a rocker?

Rockers are soothing, hammock-style seats that often vibrate or play sounds. Great for calming a cranky baby, but not for sleep. Like swings and bouncers, they place babies in an upright position that increases the risk of suffocation. If your baby dozes off in a rocker, move them to a crib, bassinet, or play yard right away.

Note: In 2022, the CPSC specifically warned against letting babies sleep in Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers after several incidents. Even though recalls have gone out, these rockers still show up secondhand—avoid using them if you come across one.

Can my baby sleep in an infant lounger?

Instagram loves them. Babies love lounging in them. But products like the DockATot or SnuggleMe are not safe sleep spaces. If baby rolls or shifts, the cushioned sides can pose a suffocation risk. Loungers are fine for supervised awake time, but naps should always happen on a crib, bassinet, or play yard.

Can my baby sleep in a moses basket?

They look charming, but Moses baskets don’t meet today’s CPSC standards for sleep. They don’t have the stability or structural support of a bassinet, which makes them risky for unsupervised sleep. They're a cute nursery accent, not a sleep solution.

Real-Life Sleep Decisions

You’ve got the safe gear down and the big rules in mind, but what about those everyday moments that don’t fit neatly into a checklist? The middle-of-the-night feed when you’re too tired to think, the nap your baby insists on taking in the car seat, or the grandma who swears you slept on your tummy and “turned out fine.” Our FAQs will help you sort out the gray areas with a little less stress (and maybe a little more sleep).

FAQs About Safe Baby Sleep

Can my baby nap in a swing, bouncer, or lounger if I’m watching?
Tempting as it is (and it is definitely tempting), the answer’s still no. Even if you’re close by, these aren’t designed for safe sleep. Stick to a flat, firm surface.

Do I really have to put my baby on their back every single time?
Yes—every single nap and every single bedtime. It lowers the risk of SIDS. Once your little one starts rolling on their own, you don’t need to flip them back, but keep starting them on their back.

What about blankets or stuffed animals once they’re older?
Soft stuff needs to stay out until your baby’s at least 12 months old. Until then, use a wearable blanket or sleep sack if you want extra coziness during cooler months.

My baby only falls asleep in the car seat. Can I just let them stay there?
Car seats are for rides, not naps. If they conk out on the road, move them to a crib or bassinet once you’re home.

What about travel systems?
Travel systems make life so much easier when you’re on the go—you can move your baby from car to stroller without disturbing their nap. But just like car seats, they're best for short naps and not long stretches of sleep. If your baby dozes off while you’re out, that’s fine, just transfer them to a flat, safe sleep space once you’re home.

Is swaddling safe?
Swaddling can be a helpful tool in those early months—it keeps babies snug, helps them sleep on their backs, and mimics that cozy womb feeling. The trick is making sure the swaddle is secure around the chest but loose around the hips and legs. And once your baby shows signs of rolling? Time to retire the swaddle to keep them safe.

Why is room-sharing recommended?
Room-sharing gives you the best of both worlds. You’re close enough to hear and respond to your baby in the night, but everyone still has their own sleep space. Studies show it can lower the risk of SIDS by up to 50% because you can keep an eye (and ear) on your baby without the risks that come with bed-sharing.

Are crib bumpers still a thing?
They’re a thing, but not a safe thing. Even the mesh ones aren’t recommended anymore. Bare crib = safest crib.

When can we switch to a toddler bed?
Usually somewhere between 18 months and 3 years, but safety matters more than age. If your little escape artist is climbing out of the crib, it’s time.

Why should you trust Bambi Baby?

At Bambi Baby, our decades-long commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has established us as a trusted authority in the baby products' industry. With over 40 years of experience, we have developed a deep understanding of what parents require when choosing the perfect gear. Our expert team is dedicated to guiding you through this important decision with personalized recommendations, ensuring that the gear you pick perfectly matches your lifestyle and needs.

Still have questions? 

Bambi Baby experts are ready to connect! If you have any more questions regarding baby gear you can reach us at cs@bambibaby.com or chat with us on our website. We would love to hear from you!