Sleep
Safe sleep starts with a bare, flat space.
The basics every caregiver should know, what the federal rules require for cribs, bassinets and play yards, and the sleep products that are banned or advised against.
The basics
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Back to sleep, every sleep
Put babies on their backs for every sleep, naps and nighttime, until they're 1 year old. That includes babies born preterm and babies with reflux.
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Firm means no dent
A baby's sleep surface should be firm and flat. The AAP's test for firm is simple: it shouldn't indent when your baby is lying on it.
Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
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Only a fitted sheet
Take everything out of the sleep space except a fitted sheet on the mattress. Research links crib bumpers and any bedding beyond a fitted sheet to SIDS, suffocation, entrapment and strangulation deaths.
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Soft objects raise the risk
Pillows, quilts, comforters, mattress toppers, blankets, toys and bumper pads don't belong in a baby's sleep area. The AAP says they raise the risk of entrapment, suffocation and strangulation.
Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
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Share the room, not the bed
Share a room with your baby for at least the first 6 months, with baby in their own crib, bassinet or portable play yard, separate from your bed.
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Car seats and carriers aren't beds
Don't use car seats, strollers, carriers or slings as a baby's regular sleep space or for naps. If baby falls asleep in one, move them to their own sleep space as soon as you can.
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No sleep on an incline over 10 degrees
The AAP says any surface that inclines more than 10 degrees isn't safe for a baby to sleep on.
Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
Banned since 2022
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Inclined sleepers and crib bumpers are banned
Under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, inclined sleepers for infants and crib bumpers are banned hazardous products. Since November 12, 2022, it's been illegal to sell, make for sale, distribute or import them in the US.
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What counts as an inclined sleeper
The ban covers any product with a sleep surface inclined more than 10 degrees that's meant, marketed or designed for sleep for babies up to 1 year old.
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What counts as a crib bumper
Banned crib bumpers include padded bumpers, vinyl bumper guards and vertical crib slat covers. Non-padded mesh crib liners aren't covered by the ban.
Cribs
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Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart
Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, about the width of a soda can, so a baby's body can't fit through.
Source: CPSC: Crib Safety Tips
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Tight mattress, solid hardware
Check for a firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby can't get trapped along the edge, and make sure no screws, brackets or other hardware are missing, loose, broken or put in wrong.
Source: CPSC: Crib Safety Tips
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2011 crib standards ended drop-sides
Federal crib standards that took effect in June 2011 stopped the making and selling of traditional drop-side cribs and required stronger mattress supports, more durable hardware and tougher testing.
Source: CPSC news release: CPSC Approves Strong New Crib Safety Standards (December 2010)
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Full-size crib standard today
Full-size cribs must meet the federal standard at 16 CFR part 1219, which now incorporates ASTM F1169-25.
Source: eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1219, Safety Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs
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Crib standard updated August 2026
CPSC updated the full-size crib standard to ASTM's 2025 version in a rule that took effect August 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register: Safety Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs (May 2026)
Bassinets, play yards and other sleep products
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Bassinets: flat to 10 degrees
Bassinets and cradles must meet the federal standard at 16 CFR part 1218, which defines them as having a head-to-toe sleep surface of 10 degrees or less. The standard was updated to ASTM F2194-25 effective February 21, 2026.
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Play yards with bassinet attachments
Play yards must meet the federal play yard standard at 16 CFR part 1221. A play yard with a bassinet attachment must also meet the bassinet standard.
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Keep play yard sides up
Never leave a play yard's side in the down position. A lowered side forms a pocket a baby can roll into, get trapped in and suffocate.
Source: CPSC Resellers Guide to Selling Safer Products (Publication 254, February 2025)
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Sleep products capped at 10 degrees
Infant sleep products that aren't cribs, bassinets, play yards or bedside sleepers must keep the sleep surface at 10 degrees or less. The federal rule covers products meant for babies up to 5 months old.
Source: eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1236, Safety Standard for Infant Sleep Products
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Infant sleep products rule start date
CPSC's safety standard for infant sleep products took effect June 23, 2022.
Source: Federal Register: Safety Standard for Infant Sleep Products (86 FR 33022)
Weighted sleep sacks and swaddles
There’s no federal ban on weighted infant products. The AAP, NIH and CPSC all advise against them.
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No weighted sleep sacks or swaddles
The AAP says not to use weighted blankets, sleepers, swaddles or other weighted objects on or near a baby. That's its current safe sleep guidance, updated in September 2026.
Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
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Why weighted swaddles are a problem
Weighted swaddles and weighted blankets can put too much pressure on a baby's chest and lungs, the AAP says. Stop swaddling once a baby shows signs of trying to roll.
Source: AAP HealthyChildren.org: Swaddling: Is it Safe for Your Baby?
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CPSC: skip weighted swaddles
CPSC's safe sleep guidance also tells parents not to use weighted blankets or weighted swaddles.
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Retailers pulled weighted infant products
In April 2024, CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka reported that Target, Walmart, Nordstrom and Babylist said they'd stop selling weighted infant products.
Source: CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka statement (April 2024)
Nursing pillows and loungers
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Nursing pillows are for feeding only
Never use a nursing pillow for infant sleep or lounging, and don't put one in a crib or bassinet. CPSC counted 154 infant deaths and 64 injuries tied to nursing pillows from 2010 to 2022.
Source: CPSC news release: New Federal Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows (September 2024)
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No straps on nursing pillows
Nursing pillows covered by the federal standard can't include an infant restraint system, such as straps or a harness.
Source: eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1242, Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows
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Nursing pillow rule started April 2025
CPSC's nursing pillow safety standard applies to nursing pillows made after April 23, 2025.
Source: eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1242, Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows
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Baby loungers are not for sleep
Baby loungers, head positioner pillows, sleep positioners, wedge pillows and tummy time pillows count as infant support cushions. CPSC says never use them for sleep or naps, and only use them on the floor.
Source: CPSC news release: New Federal Safety Standard for Infant Support Cushions (October 2024)
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Support cushion rule started May 2025
CPSC's safety standard for infant support cushions took effect May 5, 2025.
Source: Federal Register: Safety Standard for Infant Support Cushions (89 FR 87467)