Choosing the Right Mattress
The crib mattress is the most important piece of the sleep setup. It should be firm and flat — not soft, plush, or memory foam. A simple firmness test: press your hand into the center of the mattress and along the edges. It should spring back immediately and not conform to the shape of your hand. If you can feel your hand sinking in, the mattress is too soft for safe infant sleep.
The mattress should fit snugly in the crib with no gaps. You should not be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress edge and the crib side. Use only the mattress that came with or was designed for your specific crib or bassinet.
What Goes in the Crib
- A firm, flat mattress with a snug fitted sheet — this is all you need
- No bumpers, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or wedges
- No positioners or sleep aids of any kind
- A pacifier is fine (and may reduce SIDS risk)
The safest crib is a bare crib. It may look sparse, but this simplicity is by design — every additional item introduces risk without proven benefit for safe sleep.
Room Layout for Better Sleep
- Place the crib away from windows, cords, and curtains
- Position the crib so your baby cannot reach shelves, pictures, or wall decorations
- Install blackout curtains or shades on all windows
- Keep a consistent, cool room temperature (18-20°C / 64-68°F)
- If using a sound machine, place it across the room from the crib (at least 200 cm away)
Transitioning from Bassinet to Crib
Most babies outgrow their bassinet between 3-6 months, either by reaching the weight limit or by beginning to roll. Some parents find that their baby actually sleeps better in a crib because they have more room to find a comfortable position. If the transition feels challenging, try having your baby nap in the crib first before making the switch for nighttime sleep.
You can place a worn (but clean) t-shirt of yours under the crib sheet for a day before the transition so your baby's sleep space smells familiar. Remove it before sleep time.
When to Move Baby to Their Own Room
The AAP recommends room sharing for at least the first 6 months. After that, the decision is personal. Many families find that both baby and parents sleep better once in separate rooms, as parents are less likely to respond to normal sleep sounds and brief arousals that babies cycle through naturally. If you are sleep training, moving your baby to their own room often improves results because the baby is less stimulated by your presence.
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