{"id":1585,"date":"2025-09-30T06:52:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T06:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/?p=1585"},"modified":"2026-09-07T19:29:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:29:54","slug":"10-steps-safe-sleep-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/30\/10-steps-safe-sleep-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Steps to Safe Sleep for Baby: What New Parents Get Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Below are the 10 steps to safe sleep for baby, with a breakdown of why each guideline is in place using the AAP’s evidence-based guidelines. You can also download all of the NIH Infant Safe Sleep and Maternal Health materials<\/a> here.

Visita 10 Pasos para un Sue\u00f1o Seguro del Beb\u00e9<\/a><\/em>\u00a0para esta informaci\u00f3n en espa\u00f1ol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"10<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steps to safe sleep for baby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Back to Sleep<\/strong> – Sleeping flat on their backs is the safest sleep position for babies. This keeps their airways clear without any risk of the head lowering and restricting airflow. Tummy time is recommended during awake times so that baby can exercise! It also ensures that babies don’t develop flat head syndrome from being placed on their backs too much. Remember, back to sleep, tummy to play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Flat, clear surface:<\/strong> Place baby on a firm, flat surface clear of toys, crib bumpers, blankets  & other items. This also means no crib wedges, sleep positioners or other items marketed to help infants sleep more soundly. The AAP recommends no blankets, pillows, or soft bedding until at least 12 months of age.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Room Sharing<\/strong>: Keep baby in the same room as you, but not the same bed for at least 6 months. Previous advice was to stay in the same room for at least the first year of baby’s life. We certainly acknowledge that millions of families happily co-sleep with no problem and it’s often a cultural norm. But in terms of minimizing SIDS, the only safe space for baby is alone, in a crib free of sheets and pillows. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Avoid Smoking:<\/strong> in the home and around baby. There’s no risk-free amount of smoke for your baby. This includes secondhand smoke. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Avoid parent and infant exposure<\/strong> to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Breastfeeding:<\/strong> If you can, nursing your newborn for at least 2 months has been shown to reduce the risk by 50%<\/a>. This counts for milk given from a bottle as well as from the breast. The reason breastmilk helps is because it promotes brain growth, builds up the immune system and reduces instances of reflux. Lowered instances of reflux keep airways clear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Vaccinate:<\/strong> All national and worldwide health agencies agree, and the data proves that immunizations reduce the risk of SIDS. Vaccines reduce the chance of infection which may affect breathing and stabilize immune responses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Don’t let baby overheat<\/strong>: Dress appropriately for the temperature. Being too warm can affect an infant\u2019s ability to regulate their breathing, heart rate, and arousal from sleep.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Give a pacifier:<\/strong> As the AAP has noted sucking on a pacifier requires forward positioning of the tongue, thus decreasing this risk of oropharyngeal obstruction. Be sure not to use a string or other attachment device when using a paci.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Avoid products that go against safe sleep guidelines: <\/strong> While they can still be found at many resellers, inclined sleepers have been banned for sale. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) ban affects rockers, pillows, nappers, wedges and sleep positioners. This ban took effect in 2022. Infants should not be put in these for sleep. Read the full info in CPSC Ban and Recall of Inclined Sleepers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"babies
    back sleeping is safest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"back
    unblocked <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"baby
    blocked<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    A Word about Weighted Sleep Sacs and Monitors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In 2022, the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics updates, the AAP addresses weighted sleep sacs and swaddles stating that Weighted swaddles, weighted clothing on or near the baby are not safe and not recommended. <\/em>As far as swaddling goes, it is still recommended to help newborns stay comfortable but there is no evidence that swaddling is a SIDS deterrent. Learn How to Swaddle Like a Pro<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The AAP also specifically calls out cardiorespiratory monitors and other commercial devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS or other sleep-related deaths<\/em>. There is no evidence to support these product claims. So the use of products claiming to increase sleep safety may provide a false sense of security and complacency<\/em>. In other words, monitors and cribs that claim they will buzz or ring if baby’s breathing stops or heart rate lowers should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We’re seeing so much unsafe sleep advice on social media, it’s crucial that we remind parents of what infant safe sleep looks like<\/em>, said Karla Pablo, RN, BSN and owner of Let Mommy Sleep Las Vegas. We are Proud To Be A Cribs For Kids Safe Sleep Partner<\/a> and every Let Mommy Sleep night doula and newborn caregiver follows AAP safe sleep guidelines. Following the steps to safe sleep for baby helps ensure that your baby sleeps safely and soundly every time. Contact us for safe, overnight newborn care.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #<\/th>Step<\/th>Why It Matters<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    1<\/td>Back to Sleep<\/strong><\/td>Sleeping flat on the back keeps airways clear. Tummy time during awake hours builds strength and prevents flat head syndrome. Back to sleep, tummy to play.<\/td><\/tr>
    2<\/td>Flat, Clear Surface<\/strong><\/td>Firm, flat mattress only \u2014 no toys, bumpers, blankets, wedges, or sleep positioners. AAP recommends no soft bedding until 12 months.<\/td><\/tr>
    3<\/td>Room Sharing, Not Bed Sharing<\/strong><\/td>Same room as parents for at least 6 months, but never the same bed. Co-sleeping is common and cultural for many families \u2014 but for minimizing SIDS risk, baby’s own crib is the safest space.<\/td><\/tr>
    4<\/td>No Smoking<\/strong><\/td>No safe amount of smoke exposure, including secondhand, in the home or around baby.<\/td><\/tr>
    5<\/td>No Nicotine, Alcohol, or Drugs<\/strong><\/td>Avoid parent and infant exposure to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs.<\/td><\/tr>
    6<\/td>Breastfeed if Possible<\/strong><\/td>Nursing for at least 2 months reduces SIDS risk by 50%<\/a> \u2014 bottle-fed breastmilk counts too. It supports brain growth, immune function, and less reflux.<\/td><\/tr>
    7<\/td>Stay Current on Vaccines<\/strong><\/td>Immunizations lower infection risk, which supports stable breathing and immune response during sleep.<\/td><\/tr>
    8<\/td>Don’t Let Baby Overheat<\/strong><\/td>Dress for the room temperature \u2014 overheating can affect breathing, heart rate, and arousal from sleep.<\/td><\/tr>
    9<\/td>Offer a Pacifier<\/strong><\/td>Sucking keeps the tongue in a forward position, reducing airway obstruction risk. Skip any string or attachment.<\/td><\/tr>
    10<\/td>Avoid Banned Sleep Products<\/strong><\/td>Inclined sleepers, rockers, nappers, wedges, and positioners were banned by the CPSC in 2022 but still turn up at resellers. Full details on the ban here.<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n