At Sleep Joy, a safe sleep environment for your little one is of the utmost importance. Whether you join the Sleep Joy family as a client or simply would like sleep safety education, below are the safe sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be followed for baby’s safest sleep and to the reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Here is the link to the AAP site for more details.

Safe Sleep Environment Guidelines, American Academy of Pediatrics

• Baby should sleep on a firm mattress, play yard, or bassinet that meets the safety standards of the CPSC

• A fitted sheet is acceptable but no other bedding or soft objects.

• Do not elevate the crib mattress.

• Nothing should be placed under the mattress or a fitted crib sheet.

• Never use crib tents, bumpers, or padding. 

• Baby must be able to roll both directions before it’s OK to allow them to remain in the sleep position he/she assumes.

• At the moment, the jury is out on bedside or side car sleepers. The American Academy of Pediatrics task force cannot make recommendations for or against them. 

• Baby should not sleep on a sheepskin unless fully supervised at all times. 

• Infants should not sleep unsupervised in car seats, strollers, swings, or infant carriers. Babies under 4 months are most at risk.

• No car seats in the crib. 

• Crib should be located well away from curtains, dangling cords, or window blind cords.

• Infants should sleep in parent’s room, in their own crib, play yard, or bassinet, ideally for the first year, but at least for the first 6 months. 

• Infants should never sleep on couches or armchairs. 

• Consider offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime. 

• Avoid overheating and head coverings. It is difficult to provide specific room temperature guidelines but, in general, infants should be dressed with no more than 1 layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable. 

• Swaddles are safe to use as long as baby is on their back and they do not overheat the baby. They should not be too tight around the hips and knees. When an infant exhibits signs of attempting to roll, swaddling must stop. 

• As a blanket policy, Sleep Joy, LLC does not recommend any additional items in a crib for a child of any age. No railing covers of any kind, no additional padding or extra pillows in the crib. 

  • 1 blanket - 12 months and up 

  • 1 pillow - 18 months and up 

  • 1 lovie toy - 12 months and up