How Do I Know If It's Safe for Sleep?

We get a lot of questions about whether a product is safe for sleep for your baby. When considering a product, ask the following questions:

• Does its use allow baby to sleep in a location other than a crib, portable crib, bassinet, or play yard?
• Has the product been recalled? You can check CPSC's recall list.
• Does the product have extra padding, soft surfaces, bumper-like pads, or heavy, thick coverings?
• Does it allow your baby to sleep on an incline (not flat)?
• Does it have straps?
• Does the product limit baby’s movement during sleep?
• Does the bottom of the sleep area rest directly on the floor, a table, a bed, etc. as it does not have attached, free-standing legs?
• Are there soft objects in the sleep area?
• Does the information on the product say that it is safe for your baby to sleep on his stomach? 
• Does it allow multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) to share a sleep surface?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is not a safe sleep space for baby.

Other questions to consider:

• Does the information on the product say that it prevents Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? No product can claim to reduce the chance of SIDS.

• Does the product monitor a baby's vital signs? Use of monitors may cause parents to feel they can practice unsafe sleep because their infant is being monitored. A monitor may not detect an issue or may not detect an issue in enough time to protect the infant. Monitors should only be used under the direction of a health care professional.

Remember–just because a product is sold in a store, does not mean it's safe for infant sleep.