Ways to Create a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Baby

Last week, we saw a funny TikTok video by ali_nmartin where a mom put her sleeping baby down to take a shower. After 30 minutes in the shower, she came to check on the baby, only to find him now wide awake, and nowhere close to sleeping.

This is something we can all relate to. The thing is, it’s neither your baby nor your fault. Perhaps, the sleep environment is to blame for those short naps.

The cute little toys, pillows, or positioners you put inside the crib might pose a risk that affects your little one’s safety and sleep quality. Let’s ditch them! Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help you create a safe sleep environment for your angel, following 5 golden rules for sleep sack safety.

The ABCs of Safe Sleep

The key to safe sleep for babies is mastering the ABC rule:

A - Alone

A common mistake is that we keep our little ones close by when sleeping, for breastfeeding or calming them down if they wake up. However, a guideline by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggested that bed-sharing increased the risk of injuries or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), especially for those under 4 months old.

It’s recommended to keep your little one in their own crib or bassinet. What if your baby is still breastfeeding? Room-sharing is a great choice for nighttime checks, but you should let them sleep in their own space.

A baby sleeping alone in bare crib, ensuring safe sleep environment.

Let your baby sleep alone in a bare crib.

B - Back

Always put your babies on their backs when sleeping, regardless of daytime naps or nighttime sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back sleeping is linked to a reduced risk of SIDS.

If you notice your little one rolling over and sleeping on their stomach, let them be for a while to see whether they switch to the back-sleeping position. If not, you can reposition them. Rolling over is an essential part of their development, so you don’t have to worry too much.

C - Crib

Your chosen crib must meet safety standards. Here’s the recommended checklist by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

It must come with a flat, firm, and well-fitted mattress.
The space between slats should be smaller than 2 ⅜ inches so the baby can’t slide through it. No cracked or missing slats.
The footboard and headboard should not contain any cutouts so that the baby’s feet and head can’t get stuck.
The crib must be properly assembled without missing, broken, or loose brackets, screws, and other hardware.

Inside the Crib - The “Less is More” Philosophy

The Crib Mattress: Firm and Snug-fitting

If you think a soft mattress pampers your little angel better, think again. Our babies need a firm mattress to support their developing spines and bones. It’s best to go for one with an 8 to 10 on the firmness level.

Don’t want to mess with the numbers? Our tip is to test the firmness yourself. The mattress should bounce back immediately when you press it without molding to your hand’s shape.

Also, it should fit snugly into the crib. Your baby’s tiny hands and feet might get trapped in extra space on any side.

A firm and snug-fitting mattress in crib to create safe sleep environment.

The mattress should be firm and snug-fitting.

The Sheet: A Perfect, Tight Fit

Always use a fitted sheet specifically made for your baby’s crib. The tight fit ensures the sheet won’t come loose and wrap around your little one, increasing the risk of suffocation.

“Bare is Best”: Completely Eliminating Loose Items

Eliminating loose bedding is the most important rule for a safe sleep environment. Ditch all the blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, positioners, animal plushies, and other toys!

Instead, opt for a suitable sleep sack that offers the warmth and comfort of a blanket without any safety risks. No more worries about the baby kicking the blanket off, tangling it up, or pulling it over their face.

If you’re seeking a kid-friendly sleeping bag for your little one, check out our bamboo sleep sack collections! They’re all crafted with safety, comfort, and a personal touch in mind.

The Nursery Environment - Optimizing for Comfort and Safe Sleep

Ideal Room Temperature

The optimal room temperature should fall between 68 and 72°F. To put it simply, if you feel cool and comfortable when lightly dressed in a room, that room is also the ideal sleeping space for your baby.

An easy solution to help regulate baby's temperature is to pick a sleep sack with a suitable Thermal Overall Grade (TOG). If you choose it wisely, the sack will keep your little one cool in summer and cozy in winter without hassle.

Air Circulation

Placing a fan in your baby’s room works wonders for air circulation. According to the NIH, the use of fans helps reduce the likelihood of SIDS by 72%. However, remember NOT to point the fan directly at the baby!

White tone nursery room with good air cirulation, ensuring safe sleep environment.

Keep the room cool with good air circulation.

Light and Sound

Whether to let babies sleep in the dark or not sparks debates among many parents. In fact, a pitch black room makes them fall asleep more easily since it mimics the mother’s womb, and there’s no stimulation.

In our experience, our kids slept longer in complete darkness when they were under 2. But as toddlers, they preferred a little light so they wouldn’t feel overwhelmed when waking up during the night.

For nighttime sleep, you can leave the room pitch black or adjust the amount of light based on your kids’ preferences. For daytime naps, use curtains to block sunlight so your little ones can sleep longer. Additionally, white noise machines can lull your babies to sleep better.

A Smoke-Free Environment

NEVER smoke near your baby or inside your house! Tobacco smoke is one of the main culprits of SIDS. So, maintaining a smoke-free environment is for the sake of not only the baby’s sleep quality but also their health.

Identifying and Removing Other Hidden Dangers

Crib Placement

Place the crib far away from windows, curtains, blind cords, lamps, and any furniture that your baby can use to climb out.

Unsafe Products to Avoid

Steer clear of positioners, in-bed sleepers, and especially weighted products. Health organizations don’t recommend these items due to a lack of scientific evidence. Meanwhile, the safety of lightweight sleep sacks is well proven and recognized.

Sleep Well, Safe and Sound!

A safe sleep environment is a combination of intentional choices, from a bare crib to a cool room temperature. By following SwaddleAn’s guidelines above, you can create a safe haven for your baby’s sound sleep and sweet dreams.

Safety is the cornerstone of all parenting decisions. Choose the right sleep sack to keep your baby’s sleep environment safe and clutter-free! It holds the key to your peace of mind!

SwaddleAn Sleep Sacks Designed for Your Baby's Safety