Newborn Sleep Setup

No memory foam, no toppers, no soft mattresses. The crib mattress should not indent when you press on it. One fitted sheet and nothing else.

Bare crib only. No matter how cute the crib set looks, those items are suffocation hazards. AAP is unambiguous on this.

Baby sleeps in their own crib or bassinet in your room for the first 6-12 months. Bed-sharing increases SIDS risk even if you're a light sleeper.

Back to sleep, every sleep, every time. Once baby can roll both ways on their own, you don't need to reposition them.

Dozens of infant deaths linked to inclined sleepers. The only safe sleep surfaces are flat cribs, bassinets, and play yards.

Bassinet is easier for the first 3-4 months since you can reach baby without getting up. Check the weight limit - most cap at 20 lbs.

Velcro swaddles are the easiest. Muslin wraps take practice. Try a few styles - every baby has a preference. Stop swaddling when baby shows signs of rolling.

Volume under 50 decibels, placed at least 7 feet from baby's head. Continuous noise, not nature sounds or lullabies that cycle off.

Darkness signals melatonin production. Cover the window completely - even small light leaks affect naps. Test from inside with lights off.

Keep the room between 68-72°F. Dress baby in one more layer than you'd wear. If they're sweating at the neck, they're too warm.

Video with night vision so you can check without opening the door. Audio-only works too, but you'll end up sneaking in to look anyway.

Newborns can only stay awake 45-60 minutes before they're overtired. Watch for yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness - those are the cues.

Put baby down when eyes are heavy but still open. It won't work every time at first - that's normal. You're building a skill, not flipping a switch.

Bright lights, activity, and noise during the day. Dim lights, quiet voices, and boring diaper changes at night. Baby will catch on in 2-4 weeks.

Red or amber light only. No talking, no eye contact, no stimulation. Feed, burp, change, back to bed. The goal is 'this is still nighttime.'

Split the night into shifts: 8 PM - 1 AM and 1 AM - 6 AM. Each person gets one uninterrupted 5-hour block. Sleep deprivation wrecks everything.

If bottle-feeding, have bottles pre-made in the fridge (use within 24 hours) or have formula and water measured out. Fumbling at 3 AM is miserable.

Dim lamp, water bottle, burp cloth, extra swaddle, phone charger, snack - all in arm's reach of the glider. You shouldn't need to leave the room.

When baby starts showing signs of rolling (usually 3-4 months), switch to a sleep sack with arms free. Cold turkey or one-arm-out method both work.

AAP recommends pacifiers at sleep time after breastfeeding is established (around 3-4 weeks). Reduces SIDS risk. Don't stress if it falls out.