Not medical advice. This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for professional guidance. Always consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby's health.
Back to Sleep, Every Sleep
The single most important safe sleep practice is placing your baby on their back for every sleep — naps and nighttime. Back sleeping reduces the risk of SIDS by more than 50% compared to stomach sleeping. Once your baby can roll both ways independently (usually around 4-6 months), they may move to their preferred position during sleep, and you do not need to reposition them.
This article summarizes the AAP 2022 safe sleep recommendations. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Discuss your specific situation with your pediatrician.
The Safe Sleep Environment
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface (crib, bassinet, or play yard) that meets current safety standards
- Use only a fitted sheet designed for your specific mattress — nothing else in the crib
- No pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals, or positioners in the sleep space
- No inclined sleepers, swings, or car seats for routine sleep
- Keep the room at a comfortable temperature (18-20°C / 64-68°F) and use a sleep sack instead of loose blankets
Crib bumpers — including mesh or "breathable" versions — are no longer recommended by the AAP. They pose a risk of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment and provide no proven benefit.
Room Sharing
The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents, but on a separate sleep surface, for at least the first 6 months of life. Room sharing (without bed sharing) has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. Your baby should have their own crib, bassinet, or play yard placed near your bed.
Bed Sharing
The AAP advises against bed sharing due to the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment. Adult beds are not designed with infant safety standards. The risk is particularly high with premature babies, babies under 4 months, and when a parent has consumed alcohol or sedating medication.
Additional Recommendations
- Offer a pacifier at bedtime and nap time once breastfeeding is well established
- Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth
- Avoid overheating — dress your baby in no more than one additional layer than you would wear
- Ensure all caregivers (grandparents, babysitters) follow the same safe sleep practices
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment. Pediatrics, 150(1).
See our comprehensive guide: /safe-sleep-guidelines
Track Your Baby's Sleep
NapNap Baby helps you log sleep, predict nap times, and build healthy routines — all in one app.
Get the app free →Free to try · No account needed · Works offline