Dieser Beitrag wurde geschrieben von Carolin Braun-Rechlin

Safe Baby Sleep – What Is Important?

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

Carolin Braun-Rechlin

Family counselor at “Family at Heart Level,” mother and author.

Baby bed, family bed or perhaps the own little bed? This question is likely asked by many parents who are concerned with the "best" baby sleep and a safe sleeping environment. This article aims to help you not only ensure safe baby sleep and also get enough sleep yourself, but also to have a relaxed togetherness.

Table of Contents

  • Crib, sleeping together, bedsharing
  • How do babies sleep safely?
  • 10 tips for safe baby sleep

Cradle, Co-Sleeping, Bedsharing – Where Should the Baby Sleep?

There are many opinions surrounding the parenting topic of “crib.” It is often recommended that an infant sleeps on their own sleeping surface but in the same room during the first months of life. This model is also called co-sleeping. This seems safer to many, as some parents need time to get used to sharing the bed. However, sleeping on a shared surface is considered more natural and safer. This is called bedsharing.

Whether it’s the parents’ bed or the child’s own crib – the important thing is that you discuss this together with your partner and also consider your child’s needs to create the ideal sleep environment.

How do babies sleep safely?

Before going into the various polka dots in more detail, a note that the mentioned content can only serve to minimize risk factors when it comes to choking or sudden infant death, a topic that often concerns parents. Not all questions about possible causes and risks of sudden infant death – also called SIDS – have been clarified yet. However, there are protective factors that you can consider in the sleeping situation.

  • Do not let babies sleep alone

    To quickly respond to the child's needs, such as hunger or comfort, it is advisable to rarely let the baby sleep alone in the first months. Most babies do not need complete silence and feel much more comfortable when they hear that they are not alone. This also allows for a quicker response to early restlessness, which usually ends in waking up. Additionally, the sleep position can be checked more quickly, which is also an important aspect of safe sleep.

  • The right sleeping position

    Many babies prefer the tummy position. This is understandable and not unusual, as it gives them a feeling of safety. However, the tummy position is also considered particularly risky¹. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the back position is maintained during sleep – especially when the baby sleeps alone.

  • Do not “shut off” the child while sleeping

    If the child falls asleep while out and about, you naturally want to let them sleep. A natural instinct is to "shield" the child by hanging 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 do not realize they are overheating. Additionally, it can lead to CO² rebreathing². In this case, the child breathes in the air they have already exhaled, resulting in reduced oxygen supply.

10 Tips for Safe Baby Sleep

Here are additional tips that you can generally pay attention to:

Solid base:

Your baby sleeps safely when the mattress does not give way too much. Therefore, avoid risks with waterbeds, couches, pillows, or the like.

Responsiveness of the parents:

No influence of alcohol, medication, or drugs on the parents, so that you can quickly respond to your child's needs.

Do not smoke:

Smoking in any form – passive smoking, cold smoke, but also the residues on the Clothing Line, hair, hands, and surfaces – is harmful to the child.

Room temperature:

The ideal 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 inappropriate TOG rating.

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

Suitable Sleeping Bag:

Choose the optimal Sleeping Bag depending on the room temperature. It should be neither too warm nor too cold. Additionally, a precise fit is extremely important so that the infant does not slip down inside the sleeping bag while sleeping.

Tip: In the article “Baby Sleeping Bag: What Should You Dress Them in 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.

Free lying surface:

The sleeping area should be as clear as possible. Avoid Soft Toys, pillows, toys, or similar items in the sleeping space.

Enough space:

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

The pacifier:

It is recommended that children 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, consult your pediatrician or midwife.


It is often difficult for parents to find the best approach. External influences can cause a lot of uncertainty, leading to significant pressure and stress. Pay attention to what feels right for you, your partner, and your child.

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

² "Do Not ‘Isolate’ the Child While Sleeping"
(Scientific Study: 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 helps families create a strong, attachment-based way of living together.

Mehr Informationen über Carolin Braun-Rechlin findest du hier.

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