Going Out to Dinner with Kids While on a Sleep Schedule
FAQ’s for Safe Sleep: Demystifying Safe Sleep Practices for Babies & Toddlers
In nearly a decade of helping families with sleep training, one topic remains universally known, yet often confusing: safe sleep.
It’s hard—your baby wants constant holding, an older sibling needs attention, and you’re exhausted. On top of that, products are marketed and later recalled, making it hard to keep up with what’s truly safe.
At Sleep Wise, safe sleep is our priority. You shouldn’t have to be a pediatric sleep expert to understand it. This article answers common safe sleep questions and provides practical, safe alternatives to popular products and practices.
Q: Is there a safe place to lay my baby down when I need to get things done? I’ve read that Doc-A-Tot and Snuggle Me Loungers aren’t safe.
A: You’re right. These products do not comply with safe sleep standards for babies as instituted by the CPSC. Instead, set up a pack-n-play or bassinet closer to the main area of the house, or if you just need your hands-free, you can use a baby carrier. A bouncer is also safe to place to put your baby during awake times, ensuring that they remain awake.
Q: My baby often falls asleep in the car. Is it okay to unclip their car seat and bring them in the house to finish their nap once we’re home?
A: The safest thing to do is clip your baby into the stroller base and go for a walk or transfer your baby to their crib once in the house to avoid compromising your baby’s airway. Another option is to put on your favorite podcast and drive around a bit longer. Positional asphyxiation can’t be seen, so making sure your baby is in the correct position is key. When babies sleep in a car seat that is not clicked into a proper base, it is not considered to be a safe position.
Q: My baby struggles with reflux. I’ve heard placing a wedge or positioner in the crib to slightly elevate their head and neck can make them more comfortable. I’ve also heard that nothing should be in the crib. What do you recommend?
A: This can be confusing. We recommend placing your baby in a crib with only a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet because positioners and wedges pose a risk of infant suffocation. We also suggest following an Eat/Play/Sleep schedule so your baby will have a chance to digest before laying down for sleep.
Q: I’m worried that my baby is cold at night. Can I layer their pajamas or give them a blanket to make sure they are warm?
A: The best way to check if your baby is cold is by feeling the tip of their nose or back of their neck. Layering pajamas or offering blankets puts your baby at risk of overheating and increases the likelihood of SIDS. A single pair of pajamas and a sleep sack should keep them comfortable overnight, but to be sure, set the temperature in your baby’s nursery between 68 and 72 degrees too.
Q: I am worried about my baby getting hurt by their crib bars. Is it safe to put crib bumpers on? What about mesh crib bumpers?
A: We get this question so often! Truthfully, bumpers, even breathable ones, pose a risk of entrapment or suffocation. For more mobile babies, bumpers can be used as a step to climb easily out of the crib, too. The safest solution is not to have any bumpers, but if your little one is hurting themself on the crib railings or bars, you can use a pack-n-play with soft sides for sleep.
Q: My baby has been sleeping so soundly in the swaddle. Can I continue to swaddle, or should I switch to a weighted sleep sack?
A: We understand the hesitation around removing the swaddle. As your baby grows, gets stronger, and starts moving more, its safest for them to have the ability to move freely in their crib without the confinement of a swaddle or any amount of weight in a sleep sack. Don’t worry, you can make this change gradually. Around the start of your baby’s 8th week, first, leave one arm out of the swaddle for a couple days, then leave the other arm out. This allows your little one to adjust so that you can fully remove the swaddle by the end of your baby’s 8th week. For warmth and comfort, you can transition to a sleep sack for safe, long-term use.
Q: I know loveys aren’t safe until my baby is over a year old, but can they sleep with a WubbaNub attached to their pacifier?
A: While it is not a safety issue to offer pacifiers for the youngest of sleepers, it should only be offered when disconnected from any external attachments, like a pacifier clip or a WubbaNub.
Q: When my baby sleeps on his belly on my chest, he naps so well. Is it safe to lay him on his belly for sleep? What if I stay right next to him while he’s sleeping on his stomach?
A: Your baby may decide he wants to sleep on his belly when he’s strong enough to get in that position on his own, but we always recommend placing your baby on their back for sleep. That’s because belly sleeping increases the risk of SIDS due to a build-up of carbon dioxide and is considered very dangerous – even if you are nearby. For naps, baby wearing is a safe alternative to the contact naps that we all love.
Q: My baby just won’t sleep in their crib. Should I co-sleep so that we can all get some rest?
A: Co-sleeping can be very tempting, and you’ve probably read about others co-sleeping online. Please know that co-sleeping is associated with a risk of fatal sleep accidents, SUDI, and SIDS. We suggest room-sharing as a solution for those who want to keep baby close. Room sharing allows parents to sleep in their bed with their baby placed in a crib or bassinet nearby. Working on independent sleep skills can also help baby settle in their own sleep space.
Q: I’m getting ready to move my toddler out of their crib and into a bed. Is there any recommendations on where a bed should be placed in the room?
A: Yes! Placing a bed or mattress too close to the wall can pose a risk of entrapment. Ensure there is at least three feet on either side of the bed or mattress. Once your toddler has transitioned to a bed, it’s safe to introduce a pillow as well!
Most often, we get “stuck” in these unsafe sleep habits when we don’t know our options, when we are misinformed, or as a band-aid for a larger issue with sleep. With over 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths in the U.S. every year, we are confident that knowing easy-to-implement changes can save lives, as many of these deaths are preventable.
You may think some of these safe sleep practices seem extreme, but Sleep Wise will always err on the side of caution and remove as many risks as possible to ensure the safety of your little one.
If you are having trouble removing unsafe sleep habits, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, so we can guide and support you through the process. Our team is here to support you in achieving the best and safest sleep possible — for a lifetime!