Safe sleep for babies: what the guidelines say

What expert bodies recommend

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2022) recommends placing babies on their back to sleep in the first year, on a firm, flat mattress in their own bed without pillows, blankets, bumpers or soft toys, avoiding overheating and not falling asleep with the baby on a sofa. It recommends a smoke-free environment, including during pregnancy. The BIÖG likewise recommends the back position, a sleeping bag instead of a blanket and no smoke in the first year.

Where the bodies differ

The bodies differ on how long the cot should stay in the parents’ room: the AAP recommends at least the first six months, the BIÖG the whole first year. For room temperature the BIÖG gives 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, with 18 as ideal. There is no single recommendation on bed-sharing: the AAP advises sharing the room but not the bed. The BIÖG writes that some parents want their baby close at night and that sharing a bed can make breastfeeding easier, but it is also critical of it, especially if a parent smokes; with bottle-feeding it recommends a separate cot next to the parents’ bed.

What national health services say

The NHS recommends that a baby sleeps in the same room as the parents, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

In which position should babies sleep?

The AAP and the BIÖG recommend the back position; the AAP adds a firm, flat mattress in the baby’s own bed without pillows, blankets or soft toys.

How long should the baby’s bed stay in the parents’ room?

The bodies differ: the AAP recommends at least the first six months, the BIÖG the whole first year.

What room temperature does the BIÖG recommend?

16 to 18 degrees Celsius, with 18 as ideal.

If you are worried

Experts recommend contacting your paediatrician or your local out-of-hours medical service if you are worried.

Sources

General information, not a substitute for medical advice.

Sources checked: November 2026