Safe sleep for baby
For the first six months of life, the safest place for your baby to sleep is on his back in a crib, cradle, or bassinet in your bedroom. This will make night time breastfeeding easier and may help protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Room sharing means placing your baby to sleep alone, in a crib, cradle or bassinet within arm’s reach, but not attached to your bed. You can also put a mattress on the floor next to your baby’s crib, cradle or bassinet.
Bed-sharing or co-sleeping (adult and baby sharing the same sleep surface) has been identified as a risk for SIDS and can also lead to suffocation.
Safe sleep surfaces
It’s important to make sure that baby’s sleep surface meets current safety standards. Visit Health Canada’s website to learn more.
Bassinets
A bassinet that meets current Canadian safety regulations is an appropriate place for your baby to sleep until he reaches the maximum recommended weight by the manufacturer or until your baby can roll over, whichever comes first. When your baby reaches this milestone, you should put him to sleep in a crib.
Cradles
A cradle that meets today’s Canadian safety regulations is an appropriate place for your baby to sleep until he reaches the maximum weight requirements recommended by the manufacturer or until your baby can roll over, whichever comes first. When your baby reaches this milestone, you should put him to sleep in a crib.
Cribs
A crib that meets current Canadian safety regulations is the safest place for your baby to sleep. A crib should not be used if your child is taller than 90 cm or if he is able to climb out of it, whichever comes first. When your baby reaches this milestone, you should put your child to sleep in a toddler or standard bed.
Safe Sleep Environment
Your baby’s crib, cradle or bassinet should not be modified in any way. Only use parts provided by the manufacturer.
- To reduce the risk of SIDS, healthy babies should always be placed on their back to sleep at night and for naps.
- Sleep positioners or rolled up blankets present a risk of suffocation and are not needed to help babies sleep on their back.
- All caregivers (babysitters, family members, etc.) who care for the child must put the baby down on their back to sleep. Babies who normally sleep on their backs and then are placed on their stomachs to sleep are at a higher risk of SIDS.
- As babies get older, they will be able to turn over onto their stomachs by themselves, usually at about five months of age. When this happens, it is not necessary to reposition baby on their back.
- A firm, flat surface should always be used for sleep. Waterbeds, air mattresses, pillows, couches, or soft materials are not safe sleep surfaces for babies. Babies can turn onto their stomachs and bury their faces in these soft materials, causing them to not get enough air to breathe.
- Keep the crib completely empty. Other than a firm mattress, a fitted sheet and if needed a light breathable blanket. Extra materials such as quilts, comforters, bumper pads, stuffed animals, and pillows increase the risk of suffocation.
- Blankets can be dangerous if the baby’s head gets covered when he sleeps and may cause suffocation. Instead of a blanket, consider dressing the baby in light sleep clothing, like a one-piece sleeper. If a blanket is needed, babies are safest with a thin, lightweight and breathable blanket.
- Overheating can be a risk for SIDS. Babies should be lightly clothed for sleep and the room should be kept at a comfortable temperature. If the room temperature is comfortable for adults, it is also comfortable for baby. Babies should be dressed in a way that prevents overheating, even during an illness.
- Parents should place the baby’s sleep surface (crib, cradle, bassinet) so that hazards like windows, patio doors, lamps, candles, electrical plugs, corded baby monitors, extension cords, and small objects are out of baby’s reach.
- Car seats, infant carriers, swings and strollers should not replace the crib for baby’s sleep. If babies fall asleep in these items, they should be transferred to sleep on their backs in their crib as soon as possible. It is not safe for babies to be in a seated position to sleep. When asleep, babies’ heads can fall forward due to their underdeveloped muscles and their airways can become constricted, causing asphyxiation.
- Keep babies away from cigarette smoke. Babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and babies who are exposed to smoke after birth are at an increased risk of SIDS.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has clear recommendations when it comes to creating the safest sleep environment for your newborn. To learn more, click on the links below:
This item was last modified on September 5, 2024