Safe sleep rests on a few simple rules that any household can follow. We have summarised them from the 2022 recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK charity The Lullaby Trust.
In its 2022 recommendations the American Academy of Pediatrics gives these principles as its strongest (level A):1
AAP News adds that surfaces inclined at more than 10 degrees are not safe for sleep.2
The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing. At the same time it acknowledges that many parents fall asleep unintentionally while feeding. If that happens in bed, it is less dangerous than on a sofa or in an armchair; on waking, the baby should be put back on their own surface, and there should be no pillows or covers in the bed that could cover their head.1 According to the AAP, sofas, couches and armchairs are extremely dangerous places for a baby to sleep, with or without a parent.2
The AAP does not recommend car seats, prams and pushchairs, swings, carriers or slings for routine sleep, especially under 4 months. If your baby falls asleep in one, move them to a firm flat surface as soon as it is safe and practical.1 When carrying, the T.I.C.K.S. rule applies; more in the article Carrying safely.
The Lullaby Trust recommends a room temperature of 16 to 20 °C and light bedding or a well-fitting baby sleeping bag.3 Temperature is hard to judge, so a room thermometer helps.3
| How to tell if your baby is too warm | What to do |
|---|---|
| chest or back of the neck hot and sweaty | remove a layer4 |
| chest cool | add a layer of clothing or a warmer sleeping bag4 |
| hands and feet cool, chest warm | that is normal4 |
Do not put a hat on your baby for sleep indoors; babies lose heat through their heads.5 A poorly baby with a fever needs fewer layers, not more.5
The Lullaby Trust recommends a baby sleeping bag that fits well around the neck and shoulders, so your baby cannot slip down inside it.4 Choose the thickness (tog) according to the room temperature and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lack of sleep is a fact of life in the first months. If you are extremely tired, tell those close to you and your doctor. An exhausted parent is more likely to fall asleep with the baby in their arms on the sofa, which is a situation worth avoiding.
The AAP does not recommend sitting devices such as car seats, swings, carriers and slings for routine sleep, especially under 4 months. If your baby falls asleep in one, move them to a firm flat surface as soon as it is safe and practical.
The AAP does not recommend sharing a bed, and recommends that the baby sleep in the parents’ room on their own surface, ideally for at least the first 6 months. Falling asleep with your baby on a sofa or in an armchair is especially risky.
The numbers in the text refer to these sources. The links go to the publishers’ own pages; we simply cite them.
We last checked these sources on 13 October 2026.
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