New parents are often offered a long list of sleep products, yet the safest setup is usually the simplest. UK guidance focuses on giving a baby a clear, firm and separate sleep space, placing them on their back, and avoiding anything that could cover their face or make them too hot. These safe sleep guidelines should be followed for every nap and every night-time sleep.
The safest place for a baby to sleep
For at least the first six months, the NHS advises that your baby sleeps in the same room as you but in their own cot or Moses basket. This applies during the day as well as at night. Room-sharing makes it easier to respond to your baby while keeping them in a separate sleep space.
The mattress should be firm, flat, waterproof and a close fit, with no gaps around the edges. Avoid pods, nests, hammocks, wedges and other cushioned products. Raised and padded sides can create hazards around a baby’s face and contribute to overheating.
Always place your baby on their back
Put your baby down on their back at the start of every sleep. Side and front sleeping are not recommended for young babies because they are linked with a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome, commonly called SIDS. Back sleeping remains the safest position even if your baby has reflux, unless a qualified healthcare professional has given specific medical advice.
Once your baby can roll from back to front and back again without help, you do not need to keep turning them over. Continue placing them on their back initially, then let them settle. Give supervised tummy time while they are awake.
Keep the cot clear
A safe cot can look surprisingly bare. It should not contain pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, soft toys, positioners or loose items. Do not use rolled towels or blankets to hold your baby in place. These products can cover the nose or mouth, trap heat or create gaps where a baby may become stuck.
If you use a baby sleeping bag, choose one that fits securely around the shoulders so your baby cannot slide inside it. Use the appropriate tog rating for the room temperature and do not add extra bedding. If you use a lightweight blanket, place your baby with their feet near the foot of the cot and tuck the blanket firmly under the mattress, no higher than shoulder level.
Prevent overheating
The NHS recommends a room temperature of about 16°C to 20°C. A room thermometer can help, but your baby’s chest or the back of their neck gives a better indication of how warm they feel. Cool hands and feet are common. If their skin feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer of clothing or bedding.
Keep your baby’s head uncovered indoors and remove hats, coats and extra layers after coming inside. Do not place the cot beside a radiator, heater, fire or in direct sunlight. Hot water bottles and electric blankets should never be used in a baby’s sleep space.
Plan for exhausted moments
Night feeds can leave parents overwhelmingly tired, so it helps to plan before fatigue takes over. The safest option is to return your baby to their cot or Moses basket before you fall asleep. Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair, as this is a particularly dangerous situation.
Consider a realistic 3am feed when you notice yourself drifting off. Move away from the sofa, ask another adult to stay awake with you when possible, and clear pillows and heavy bedding from the feeding area. Set an alarm as a prompt, then return the baby to their cot after the feed. Planning for tired moments is safer than assuming you will remain awake.
When bed-sharing is especially unsafe
The safest place remains a separate cot or Moses basket. Do not share a bed with your baby if they were born before 37 weeks or weighed less than 2.5kg at birth. Bed-sharing is also unsafe if you or your partner smoke, have consumed alcohol, taken recreational drugs, or used medicine that causes drowsiness. Avoid it when you are extremely tired or your baby is unwell.
If bed-sharing may happen, discuss safer arrangements with your midwife or health visitor. Keep adult bedding away from the baby, remove gaps beside the mattress, keep children and pets out, and never leave the baby alone on an adult bed.
Safe sleep away from home
The same newborn safety principles apply away from home. Check that a travel cot is stable, use only its supplied or approved firm mattress, and keep it clear. Do not add a second mattress, as this can create dangerous gaps.
A car seat is essential for travel but should not replace a cot. It is normal for a baby to fall asleep during a journey, but take them out when you arrive and move them to a firm, flat sleep surface. The same principle applies to swings and other sitting devices.
Other steps that support SIDS prevention
Keeping your baby smoke-free before and after birth is an important protective step. Breastfeeding, when possible, is associated with a lower SIDS risk, and routine NHS vaccinations protect against illness. Some parents offer a dummy at sleep time; NHS guidance says this may lower SIDS risk, but never tie or clip a dummy around a sleeping baby.
Safe sleep is not about buying more equipment. It is about repeating the same setup every time: back to sleep, firm flat mattress, clear cot, comfortable temperature and a separate sleep space in the same room for the first six months.
Frequently asked questions
Can a newborn sleep on their side?
No. Place a newborn on their back for every sleep. Side sleeping is unstable because a baby may roll onto their front. Continue putting your baby down on their back until they can independently roll both ways.
What should a baby wear to sleep?
Choose clothing and a sleeping bag or lightweight bedding suitable for a room of around 16°C to 20°C. Check the chest or back of the neck rather than relying on cool hands. Remove a layer if the baby feels hot or sweaty.
Are cot bumpers safe?
No. Cot bumpers are not recommended because they can contribute to suffocation, entanglement and overheating risks. A clear cot with a firm, flat mattress is safer.
When can a baby move into their own room?
NHS guidance recommends keeping your baby’s cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for at least the first six months, for daytime naps and night sleep. Continue the other safe sleep practices after moving them.
A simple routine parents can trust
Turn the guidance into a quick check before walking away: baby on their back, face and head uncovered, cot clear, mattress firm and room comfortably cool. Apply that check wherever your baby sleeps. Related topics such as choosing a safe cot mattress, creating a calm newborn bedtime routine and maintaining a comfortable baby nursery temperature can help you build a safer, more practical sleep setup. Consistency, rather than expensive products, is the foundation of safer sleep.