Safety in Infant Sleep
Posted on: September 8, 2025 | Babies, Children, Doulas, education, Information, Parenting, Postpartum Doulas, Safety, sleep
It’s National Baby Safety Month, and at Vegas Family Doulas, we’re celebrating the realm of safety that we take into every home and hospital that we support. Infant sleep is a realm where caution and precaution are essential for both the baby and those who love them. Who doesn’t love gazing at peacefully slumbering babies? The cherub baby faces interacting with the happenings of their sweet dreams. The phantom smiles occur while their eyes are closed tightly. The low whimpers and guffaws out of thin air. Watching and wondering what images are dancing in their heads. Ah, yes, the sounds of sleeping silence. All the while, many babies are sleeping in unsafe sleeping environments. Did you know that SIDS/SUIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome) claims the life of roughly 2300 babies a year? Let’s dive into the world of infant sleep safety.
How often should a baby sleep?
Babies sleep like it’s their job because frankly, it is! Eat. Sleep. Poop. Look adorable. Repeat. These sleeps will be scattered throughout the day, and depending on age, will be more frequent and/or longer. Most infant sleep will come in the form of naps. Naps in a newborn will occur as often as they eat, such as every 2-3 hours. As the baby ages (roughly 4 months and older), naps become longer in duration and less frequent in occurrence. A morning nap shortly after waking for the day, a 2-3-hour-long afternoon nap, followed by a 1-hour “cat nap” before bedtime. Babies will also often sleep more frequently if they are experiencing a growth spurt or are under the weather. Channelling what is a regular, healthy sleep pattern in the baby will help gauge when sleep appears “off” and there are other underlying issues to address.
How much sleep does a baby need?
Sleep is highly important for growth and development. On average, a healthy newborn (0-3 months) will sleep 15-18 hours in 24 hours. At 4 months and older, 13-16 hours a day is expected. This takes into account both nap times and bedtimes. These frequent periods of rest and sleep aid the body in performing its internal functions. Allowing your baby to get healthy amounts of rest is beneficial. Babies that seem to “sleep too much” may be going through a growth spurt, a leap, or fighting off an illness. If sleep interferes with feedings, consider reaching out to the baby’s care provider for an assessment.
Where is the safest place for a baby to sleep?
There are options when it comes to where babies should sleep. The bassinet is most common for newborns. Bassinets usually reside next to the bedside of their caregiver. Bassinets have a set standard that they must meet to be approved for sale to consumers. What makes a bassinet a sleep hazard is if the baby is sleeping in the bassinet past the recommended age or weight limits. Check with the bassinet manufacturer’s guide for their “stop using by” restrictions. The crib is often the preferred sleep space for parents of older babies, facilitating a transition from a bassinet or bed to a crib. Drop-side cribs are no longer permitted for sale or use in the US. Drop-side cribs are typically found in older cribs before 2010, where one side of the crib slides down. Cribs should not have any bumpers, pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals placed inside them. These are all potential suffocation hazards. Cribs should be in good working condition and not have chips or defects.
Co-sleeping (different from bed-sharing) is when the baby and caregivers share the same room space. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best place for a baby to sleep for the first 12 weeks of life is in the same room with the caregivers—the baby’s breathing syncs with their caregivers, preventing the baby from falling too deeply into sleep. Bed-sharing is when the baby shares the same sleeping apparatus. Bed-sharing is not recommended. Many adult beds are made from soft materials that dent and create rollover factors. People who smoke have 2nd-hand smoke layers permeating through their clothes and skin, creating an increase of CO2 exposure. The rollover factor of an adult or child onto the baby is another high-risk factor for unsafe sleep.
How to implement safe sleep practices?
A firm, flat surface is recommended for babies to sleep on. A firm surface prevents sinking into the mattress. Some baby mattresses have 2 sides, an infant side and a toddler side. Be sure to place the correct age-appropriate side up when using this product. Bassinet mattresses are thinner and firmer than crib mattresses to prevent adding height to the baby in the bassinet and to promote safe sleep practices in that smaller sleep area.
” Back to sleep” is a phrase commonly used in the sleep world. This initiative aims to educate parents on the ‘back to sleep’ recommendation and encourage them to place their baby in their sleep space on their back. A baby can asphyxiate if they are placed face down (or on their side) and are unable to roll back over.
Swaddling is not only a way to help a baby sleep comfortably, but it’s also a safe sleep aid. With sleep sacks like Halo, Love to Dream, and Dreamland Baby, these swaddles take the guesswork out of swaddling. Swaddling also prevents the baby from self-waking due to the Moro reflex and keeps the baby at a comfortable temperature, thereby preventing overheating or hypothermia. It is very important to read the labels of the swaddles. If the baby is swaddled in a swaddle blanket, ensure that the blanket is snug and tight on the baby with no loose parts. When swaddling with a sleepsack, fit the swaddle to the baby’s weight, rather than their age, for the safest fit. Remember to cease swaddling with arms once the baby is 4 months or able to roll over by themselves, whichever comes first.
Sleeping alone is another big proponent of safety in infant sleep. Meaning only the baby is in their sleeping space. No blankets, no pillows, no stuffed animals or crib bumpers. All of the items mentioned above pose a suffocation risk. Pacifiers have been stated to decrease the risk of SIDS because it allow babies to stay in a state where they can wake up easily.
How does infant sleep affect the caregivers?
Babies are noise makers. Every grunt, sigh, gasp, whimper, or kick sends parents flying to the bedside. A baby’s digestive system works efficiently while they are sleeping. Allow the baby to rest, and when they wake and need you, you’ll be there. Caregivers need to ensure that their sleep enables them to relax and recharge. Watching over the baby while they sleep takes away from the time that one needs to take a breath and reset. For peace of mind when sleeping, caregivers can utilize a baby monitor. Baby monitors come in various forms, ranging from audio-only to audio with visual capabilities, to those that also detect motion and breathing. Monitors are ways that parents can keep a keen eye on their baby while they sleep, and give the baby the space to enjoy their rest.
No matter how often, how much, or where the baby sleeps, the protocol to ensure the safest sleep possible for your baby is key. Our doulas are trained and experienced in safe sleep practices and can help parents establish a healthy sleep pattern for their baby.
