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 “Familie auf Herzhöhe”, mother and author.

baby bed , family bed or maybe that own bed ? This question may be asked by many parents who are concerned with the “ optimal " baby sleep and one safe sleeping environment This article is intended to help you not only ensure that your baby sleeps safely and that you get enough sleep yourself, but also to have a relaxed time together.

Table of contents

  • Cots, co-sleeping, bed sharing
  • How do babies sleep safely?
  • 10 Tips for Safe Baby Sleep

Cot, co-sleeping, bed sharing – where should the baby sleep?

There are many opinions about the topic of “cots” among parents. It is often recommended that an infant spends the first few months of life on a own lying area , but should sleep in the same room. This model is also known as co-sleeping This seems safer to many, as some parents have to get used to sharing a bed. However, sleeping on a shared surface is considered more appropriate and safer. This is called bed sharing .

Whether in the parents' bed or in your own bed - it is important that you discuss this with your partner and that you also take your child's needs into account to create the ideal sleeping environment.

How do babies sleep safely?

Before going into the various points in more detail, it should be noted that the content mentioned can only serve to minimize risk factors when it comes to suffocation or sudden infant death, a topic that often concerns parents. sudden infant death syndrome – also known as SIDS – not all questions about possible causes and risks have been answered. However, there are protective factors that you can take into account when planning your sleeping situation.

  • Do not let babies sleep alone

    In order to respond quickly to the child’s needs, such as hunger or security, it is advisable to place the baby in the first few months rarely let them sleep alone. Very few babies need absolute peace and quiet and feel much more comfortable when they hear that they are not alone. This also allows a quicker reaction to the onset of restlessness, which usually ends in waking up. In addition, the sleeping position checked faster which is also an important aspect for safe sleep.

  • The correct sleeping position

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

  • Do not “isolate” your child while sleeping

    If your child falls asleep while you are out and about, you naturally want to let him or her sleep. A natural instinct is to “isolate” the child by putting a cloth or blanket over the stroller, baby carrier or car seat. But this brings the risk of overheating When the child is sleeping, it does not notice that it is overheating. CO² rebreathing can also occur. The child breathes in the air it has already exhaled and is therefore less well supplied with oxygen.

10 Tips for Safe Baby Sleep

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

Solid base:

Your baby will sleep safely if the surface does not give way too much. Therefore, do not take any risks with a waterbed, sofa, pillow or similar.

Parental responsiveness:

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

Do not smoke:

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

Room temperature:

The optimal room temperature is between 16°C and 18°C.

Optimal warmth:

The child should not overheat while sleeping. Avoid headgear, too much clothing, blankets or sleeping bags with an inappropriate TOG value.

Tip : You can read more about the importance of the TOG value in the magazine article “ TOG values “ read more.

Matching sleeping bag:

Depending on the room temperature, choose the optimal sleeping bag It should not be too warm or too cold. A precise fit is also extremely important so that the baby does not slip into the sleeping bag while sleeping.

Tip : In the article “ Baby sleeping bag: What should you wear underneath? ” you will learn how to dress your baby so that he or she neither freezes nor sweats.

Avoid blankets:

A blanket can wrap around the child while sleeping, which can lead to overheating.

Free lying area:

The sleeping area should be as empty as possible. Avoid stuffed animals, pillows, toys or similar things in the sleeping area.

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 give your child a safer sleeping environment If your child shows any abnormalities when sleeping, speak to your pediatrician or midwife.


It is often difficult for parents to find the optimal approach. The external environment often makes them very uncertain, which can lead to enormous pressure and stress. Pay attention to what feels right for you, your partner and the child.

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

² "Don't isolate your child while sleeping"
 (Scientific study on this: 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 ist selbst Mutter, Autorin des Buches “für dich, Mama” und Gründerin der Familienberatung “Familie auf Herzhöhe”. Sie unterstützt Familien dabei, ein bindungsstarkes Zusammenleben zu schaffen.

Mehr Informationen über Carolin Braun-Rechlin findest du hier.

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