Sleep is an essential part of your baby’s health and development, and there are crucial sleep safety things you should know for your little one. With the time change just recently occurring (to the chagrin of babies and parents everywhere), now is a great time to think about sleep safety for babies and making your little one’s sleep environment safe and sound so you can rest easy too.

What you need to know about sleep safety for babies

Make sure your baby’s sleep environment is safe and sound.

  • Keep your baby’s crib free of toys, crib bumpers, blankets, and other loose bedding.
  • Use a firm crib mattress with a fitted crib sheet.
  • Check to make sure your crib meets current safety guidelines and does not have any recalls.
  • Do not let your baby sleep on soft surfaces such as adult beds, couches, or comforters.
  • Remove any electrical cords or hanging window cords near your baby’s crib.

Dress your baby appropriately

  • Make sure your baby’s head and face an uncovered and remain uncovered while they sleep.
  • Dress your baby in light clothing for sleep to ensure they do not overheat. In cold climates or seasons, use a blanket sleeper or wearable blanket to help keep your baby warm without introducing loose sheets into their crib, which can become a suffocation hazard.

Back to Sleep

Always place your baby to sleep on their back. Putting your baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As your baby gets older, she may roll over onto her stomach on her own while sleeping, which is fine. Just be sure always to put your baby to sleep on her back.

Make sure your baby is getting enough sleep

Newborn babies need about 16-18 hours of sleep. Babies 4-11 months old generally need from 12-15 hours of sleep. As a standard rule, your baby’s hours of sleep are divided between nighttime stretches and daytime naps.