Babies Health & Safety The Best Places for a Baby to Safely Sleep By Vincent Iannelli, MD facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Vincent Iannelli, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD on January 04, 2021 linkedin Sarah Rahal, MD is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. Learn about our Review Board Sarah Rahal, MD on January 04, 2021 Print Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images New parents are often told to put their babies to sleep wherever they sleep best, but that really isn't good advice. There are safer places for your baby to sleep, and places that may be riskier. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby should sleep:In a bassinet, cradle, or crib that is near her mother's bed.On her back, not on her side or stomach.On a firm sleep surface, such as a firm crib mattress, which has been covered by a well-fitted sheet.Without any soft objects (pillows and toys) or loose bedding (blankets and sheets) in her bassinet, cradle, or crib. You should also make sure that your baby doesn't get overheated while she is sleeping. Room Sharing While you should share your room with your baby, that doesn't mean sharing your bed. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the safest way to sleep with your baby is for parents to share their room (but not their bed) for the first six months to year of life. They note that room-sharing may reduce the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%. By not sharing the same bed as the parents, the risk of accidental suffocation is reduced. Car Seat Precautions While a newborn or young infant won't necessarily pick up any bad habits by sleeping in a car seat, it isn't the safest place for them to be sleeping. One study on cases of SIDS found that a very small percentage of infants who died were seated in car seats. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't put your baby in a car seat when you are driving in the car. However, you likely should find a more appropriate place for your baby to sleep. The points to consider are: Eventually, your baby will likely get used to sleeping in a car seat, swing, or wherever else you put her to sleep. Stick to the AAP recommendations and put your baby to sleep in her bassinet, cradle, or crib.Infants who are in a car seat for too long can also be at higher risk for developing positional plagiocephaly, or a flat head.The main reason to avoid putting your baby to sleep in a car seat is that there is a very small association with SIDS. An Overview of Baby Sleep Help for Getting Your Baby to Sleep If you are having trouble getting your baby to sleep in a crib, consider using a bassinet or cradle instead. A full-size crib is sometimes too big for a newborn or young infant. Swaddling is a very good technique that often helps babies get to sleep, stay asleep, and get comforted quickly, especially when they are newborns. A properly-swaddled baby feels warm and secure, and the wrap can help prevent a baby from throwing his arms up and startling himself or even scratching his face. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is a high risk of death if a swaddled infant is placed in or rolls to the prone position, and provides the following guidelines: "If infants are swaddled, they should always be placed on the back. Swaddling should be snug around the chest but allow for ample room at the hips and knees to avoid exacerbation of hip dysplasia. When an infant exhibits signs of attempting to roll, swaddling should no longer be used." A Word From Verywell Your pediatrician can be a good resource if your baby is still not sleeping well, especially to make sure that she doesn't have colic, reflux, or feeding intolerance. When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5):e20162938. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2938 Côté A, Bairam A, Deschenes M, Hatzakis G. Sudden infant deaths in sitting devices. Arch Dis Child. 2008;93(5):384-9. doi:10.1136/adc.2007.119180 Additional Reading American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts, Controversies Regarding the Sleeping Environment, and New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk. Pediatrics. 2005 116: 1245-1255. Aurore Cote, Aida Bairam, Marianne Deschesne, and George Hatzakis. Sudden Infant Deaths in Sitting Devices. Arch Dis Child. Published online 19 July 2007. doi:10.1136/adc.2007.119180. Moon RY. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Evidence Base for 2016 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5)