Safe Sleep for Your Newborn: A Simple Everyday Checklist

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months. A properly fitted, unweighted wearable blanket can be used instead of loose bedding when appropriate. Read what to expect in your newborn’s first week.

Avoid inclined sleepers, positioners, weighted sleep products, and items that claim to prevent sleep-related deaths. Follow the sleep-space manufacturer's age, size, and use instructions.

If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, swing, or stroller, move them to an appropriate flat sleep surface as soon as practical. Car seats are for travel, not a routine sleep space outside the car.

Sofas and armchairs are particularly dangerous places to fall asleep with a baby. If you are becoming sleepy while feeding or comforting your baby, ask another adult for help if possible and return your baby to their separate sleep space.

If you bring your baby into bed to feed, move them back before you go to sleep. Discuss nighttime feeding and exhaustion with your healthcare team so you have a workable plan. Read about comfortable, responsive newborn feeds.

Continue placing your baby on their back. Stop swaddling when they show signs of trying to roll. If your baby can roll both ways independently, official guidance allows them to remain in the position they reach, with the sleep space kept clear.

If your baby has medical needs, ask their clinician about their sleep arrangements. Breathing difficulty, blue or gray coloring, or unresponsiveness is an emergency, not a sleep problem to watch and wait on.