Dieser Beitrag wurde geschrieben von Carolin Braun-Rechlin

Safe sleep for babies – What’s important?

Find out from our expert how you can promote safe baby sleep.

Carolin Braun-Rechlin

Family counselor at “Familie auf Herzhöhe,” mother, and author.

Crib, family bed, or perhaps their own little bed? Many parents who are thinking about “optimal” baby sleep and a safe sleep environment may ask themselves this question. This article is intended to help you not only ensure safe sleep for your baby and get enough sleep yourself, but also enjoy a relaxed life together.

Table of contents

  • Crib, co-sleeping, bed-sharing
  • How can babies sleep safely?
  • 10 tips for safe baby sleep

Crib, co-sleeping, bed-sharing—where should the baby sleep?

There are many opinions surrounding the parenting topic of “cribs.” It is often recommended that an infant sleep on their own sleeping surface during the first few months of life, but in the same room. This arrangement is also known as co-sleeping. Many people consider this safer, as some parents first need to get used to sharing a bed. However, sleeping on a shared surface is considered more natural and safer. This is known as bed-sharing.

Whether in the parents’ bed or in their own crib, it is important to discuss this together with your partner and take your child’s needs into account when creating the ideal sleeping environment.

How do babies sleep safely?

Before discussing the various Polka dots in more detail, a note that the information provided can only help minimize risk factors related to suffocation or sudden infant death, an issue that often concerns parents. When it comes to sudden infant death—also known as SIDS—not all questions about possible causes and risks have been answered. However, there are protective factors you can consider when arranging the sleep environment.

  • Do not let babies sleep alone

    To respond quickly to the baby's needs, such as hunger or comfort, it is advisable to rarely leave the baby to sleep alone during the first few months. Very few babies need complete silence and feel much more comfortable when they can hear that they are not alone. This also makes it possible to respond more quickly to signs of restlessness, which usually end in waking up. In addition, the baby's sleeping position can be checked more quickly, which is also an important aspect of safe sleep.

  • The right sleeping position

    Many babies prefer sleeping on their stomachs. This is understandable and not unusual, as it gives them a feeling of security. However, sleeping on the stomach is also considered particularly risky¹. Accordingly, care should be taken to ensure that the supine position is maintained during sleep—especially when the baby sleeps alone.

  • Don’t “shut your child off” while they sleep

    When a child falls asleep while out and about, you naturally want to let them sleep. A natural instinct is to “shield” the child by draping a cloth or blanket over the stroller, baby carrier, or car seat. However, this carries the risk of overheating. When the child is asleep, they may not notice that they are overheating. In addition, CO² rebreathing can occur². This means that the child inhales air they have already exhaled, resulting in a reduced oxygen supply.

10 Tips for Safe Baby Sleep

Here are some additional tips you can generally keep in mind:

Firm base:

Your baby will sleep safely if the surface is firm and does not give way too much. Therefore, do not take any risks with a waterbed, sofa, pillow, or anything similar.

Parental responsiveness:

Parents must not be under the influence of alcohol, medication, or drugs so that they can respond quickly to their child’s needs.

No smoking:

Smoking in any form – secondhand smoke, thirdhand smoke, as well as residue on Clothing Line, hair, hands, and surfaces – is harmful to the child.

Room temperature:

The optimal room temperature is between 16°C and 18°C.

Optimal warmth:

The child should not overheat while sleeping. Avoid head coverings, too much Clothing Line, Blankets, or Sleeping Bags with an unsuitable TOG rating.

Tip: You can also read more about the significance of the TOG rating in the magazine article “TOG ratings”.

Suitable Sleeping Bag:

Choose the ideal Sleeping Bag according to the room temperature. It should be neither too warm nor too cold. An exact fit is also extremely important to prevent the infant from slipping inside the sleeping bag while asleep.

Tip: In the article “Baby Sleeping Bag: What Should Your Baby Wear Underneath?” you will learn how to dress your baby so that they neither get cold nor sweat.

Avoid Blankets:

A blanket can wrap around the child during sleep, which can lead to overheating.

Available lying area:

The sleeping area should be as empty as possible. Do not place Soft Toys, pillows, toys, or similar items in the sleeping area.

Plenty of space:

If you have a family bed, make sure that every family member has enough space.

The pacifier:

It is recommended that babies who are not breastfed sleep with a pacifier. However, it is perfectly fine if your baby wants to sleep without a pacifier.

With these tips, you can provide your child with a safer sleeping environment. If your child shows any unusual signs while sleeping, talk to your pediatrician or midwife.


It is often difficult for parents to find the best approach. The people around them can often make them feel very insecure, which can lead to enormous pressure and stress. Pay attention to what feels right for you, your partner, and your child.

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Sources:
¹ "The correct supine position"
(https://www.springermedizin.de/emedpedia/detail/paediatrie/ploetzlicher-kindstod?epediaDoi=10.1007%2F978-3-642-54671-6_19)

² "Do not “isolate” the baby while sleeping"
(Scientific study on this topic: TASK FORCE ON SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. Pediatrics 2016; 138(5). https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/5/e20162938/60309/SIDS-and-Other-Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated)

Carolin Braun-Rechlin
Carolin Braun-Rechlin is a mother herself, author of the book “für dich, Mama,” and founder of the family counseling service “Familie auf Herzhöhe.” She supports families in creating a strong, connected family life.

Mehr Informationen über Carolin Braun-Rechlin findest du hier.

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