On this page (10 sections)
Most parents have heard “back to sleep” and “no bumpers”. The details matter more than the slogan, especially when you are exhausted and someone hands you a cute cot set.
This guide follows Australian safe sleep guidance from Red Nose and the Raising Children Network. It is general information, not individual medical advice. If your baby has a medical condition or was born premature, ask your care team for advice specific to your baby.
The short version#
- Put your baby on their back for every sleep, day and night.
- Keep their face and head uncovered.
- Keep the pregnancy and home smoke-free.
- Use a safe cot with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding.
- Keep the cot in your room for the first six to twelve months.
- Breastfeed if you can, and get support if you want to.
Those are Red Nose's six recommendations. The rest of this guide is about making them work in a real house, at 2am, with a washing pile.
What “safe sleep” is trying to prevent#
Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is the term for the sudden and unexpected death of a baby, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. SUDI is rare, but the risk is higher in the first year, especially in the first six months.
No set of rules can prevent every death. What the evidence does show is that certain sleep environments increase risk, and certain practices reduce it. That is why the advice is specific about backs, bedding, smoke and where the baby sleeps.
The six recommendations, unpacked#
1. Sleep your baby on their back#
Place your baby on their back for every sleep. Not on their side, not on their tummy, and not propped on a pillow. Side sleeping is unstable and babies can roll onto their tummy.
Once your baby can roll both ways on their own, you do not need to keep turning them back. Keep placing them down on their back at the start of sleep, and keep the cot clear.
2. Keep the face and head uncovered#
No hats indoors, no hoods on sleeping bags, and no bedding over the face. If you wrap or swaddle, keep the fabric away from the face and stop wrapping once your baby shows signs of rolling.
3. Keep your baby smoke-free#
Do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not let anyone smoke in the house or car after birth. This includes vaping. If you or your partner smoke, smoke outside, change your clothes and wash your hands before holding the baby. Quitline is on 13 78 48.
4. Make the sleep environment safe#
A safe cot meets the mandatory Australian standard. The mattress should be firm, flat and the right size for the cot, with no gaps between the mattress and the sides. Use a fitted sheet and lightweight bedding that is tucked in securely, or a well-fitted sleeping bag.
Keep the cot clear of pillows, doonas, bumpers, soft toys, positioners, nests, loungers and any product that claims to make sleep “safer”. New mandatory standards for infant sleep products took effect in January 2026, but the simplest rule is still the best: flat, firm, clear and boring.
5. Sleep your baby in your room#
Keep the cot in your room, close to your bed, for the first six to twelve months. Room sharing reduces the risk of SUDI and makes night feeds easier. It does not mean bed sharing.
6. Breastfeed if you can#
Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SUDI. If breastfeeding is not possible or not right for your family, that is okay. Formula-fed babies still need the same safe sleep environment, and no parent should feel judged for how they feed.
Setting up the cot#
A safe sleep space is simple. Resist the urge to fill it.
- Cot: meets the mandatory Australian standard and is assembled exactly as instructed.
- Mattress: firm, flat, correct size, no soft padding or pillow-top.
- Sheet: fitted, smooth, no loose fabric.
- Bedding: lightweight and tucked in firmly, or a well-fitted sleeping bag with arms out and no hood.
- Position: away from blinds, curtains, heaters, power points and cords. Not under a window.
- Clear: no bumpers, pillows, doonas, soft toys, wedges, nests or positioners.
Check the cot for recalls, missing screws, broken slats or a drop side that does not lock. If you are using a second-hand cot, look up the model and check the current mandatory standards before you use it.
Reflux is not a reason to tilt the cot or use a wedge. Our baby reflux guide explains why flat is still safest and what actually helps with posseting.
Dummies are optional. If you use one, offer it for every sleep rather than randomly, do not reinsert it once your baby is asleep, and never coat it in anything sweet. Our dummy weaning guide covers safe dummy use and how to stop when the time comes.
Room sharing, bed sharing and the sofa rule#
Room sharing is recommended. Bed sharing is a different decision.
The safest place for a baby to sleep is a safe cot in the same room as you. Bed sharing increases the risk of suffocation and SUDI, particularly if:
- anyone in the bed smokes
- anyone has consumed alcohol, drugs or medication that makes them sleepy
- you are extremely tired
- your baby was premature or had a low birth weight
- the mattress is soft, or there are pillows, doonas or gaps around the bed
Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair. That is one of the highest-risk sleep situations. If you think you might fall asleep while feeding, set up a safer plan before the feed: feed in a chair, set an alarm, or ask someone to stay awake with you.
If you are considering bed sharing, read Red Nose's full guidance and talk to your child and family health nurse. Make a plan for the nights when you are too tired to think straight.
Day sleeps, wrapping and rolling#
The same rules apply during the day. Use the cot, not a bouncer or pram, for unsupervised sleep. If your baby falls asleep in the pram or car seat, move them to a flat surface as soon as it is safe to do so, and keep their face clear.
Wrapping can help some newborns feel secure. Use a thin, breathable wrap, keep it below the face, and stop when your baby shows signs of rolling — usually around three to four months, but earlier for some. A baby who is wrapped and rolls onto their tummy cannot use their arms to push up.
Temperature and clothing#
Overheating is a risk factor for SUDI. Dress your baby for the room, not for the pram or the car. A good check is the chest or back of the neck, not the hands and feet, which are often cool.
- No hats indoors.
- No electric blankets or hot water bottles in the cot.
- Keep heaters and coolers away from the cot and avoid directing air straight at your baby.
- Use the TOG rating on sleeping bags as a guide, and adjust layers to the room.
- If the room is very hot, use a fan to circulate air, but do not point it at the baby.
What about monitors and “smart” products?#
Consumer baby monitors, breathing mats, socks and apps can be reassuring. There is no evidence that they prevent SUDI, and they are not a substitute for safe sleep. They can also increase anxiety and false alarms.
If your baby has a medical reason for monitoring, your hospital or paediatrician will prescribe it. A consumer monitor is not a medical device.
When to ask for help#
Talk to your child and family health nurse, GP or paediatrician if:
- your baby is very difficult to settle and you are not coping
- you are so exhausted that you are worried about falling asleep while feeding
- your baby has reflux, breathing concerns or a medical condition - our baby reflux guide covers the sleep-specific advice
- you are unsure whether your cot, mattress or sleeping bag is safe
- you have lost a baby to SUDI previously, or you are feeling very anxious about sleep
If your baby is unwell, has trouble breathing, is hard to wake, or has a fever and is under three months old, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department. For 24-hour nurse advice, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
If you are trying to work out naps, awake times and the shift to toddler sleep, see baby wake windows and toddler sleep.
The bottom line#
Safe sleep is not about buying the right gadget. It is about a flat, clear cot, a baby on their back, a smoke-free room and a parent who is supported enough to make safe decisions at 3am. Keep it simple, and ask for help when you need it.
Frequently asked
Can my baby sleep on their side?
No. Place your baby on their back for every sleep, including day sleeps. Side sleeping is unstable and increases the risk of rolling onto the tummy. Once your baby can roll both ways on their own, you do not need to keep flipping them back, but you should still put them down on their back to start.
What if my baby rolls onto their tummy during sleep?
If your baby can roll confidently in both directions, you can leave them in the position they choose. Keep the cot clear so there is nothing to obstruct their face, and continue to place them on their back at the start of every sleep.
Do I need a baby monitor?
No. A monitor can be reassuring, but there is no evidence that consumer monitors prevent sudden infant death, and they are not a substitute for safe sleep. If a monitor makes you more anxious, it is fine to skip it. Breathing monitors should not replace medical advice.
Is bed sharing safe?
The safest place for a baby is a safe cot in the same room as you. Bed sharing increases the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death, especially if anyone in the bed smokes, has consumed alcohol or drugs, is extremely tired, or if the baby was premature or low birth weight. Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.
References
Sources and further reading
We use primary Australian guidance first. These links open in a new tab.
- Safe sleeping guide for babies 0–12 monthsRed Nose Australia
- Safe sleep environments for babiesRaising Children Network
- Infant sleep products: mandatory standardsProduct Safety Australia
- Dressing for bedRaising Children Network
How this guide was made
Drafted with AI assistance and edited against the public sources above. This is general information for Australian families, not personal medical, legal or financial advice. It has not been medically reviewed.
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