Baby checklists
Birth and the first weeks
Newborn Sleep Setup Checklist
20 items · 19 must-haves · Baby's weeks 0–2
General info, not medical advice. Your OB, midwife or pediatrician knows your situation; check with them. Learn more about our medical disclaimer
Everything you need to know and set up for safe sleep from day one
Safe Sleep Environment
- Firm, flat mattress with tight-fitting sheet onlyNo memory foam, no toppers, no soft mattresses. The crib mattress should not indent when you press on it. One fitted sheet and nothing else.
- Remove all bumpers, blankets, toys, and pillows from the cribBare crib only. No matter how cute the crib set looks, those items are suffocation hazards. AAP is unambiguous on this.
- Room share but not bed shareBaby sleeps in their own crib or bassinet in your room for at least the first 6 months (AAP). Bed-sharing increases SIDS risk even if you're a light sleeper.
- Always place baby on their back to sleepBack to sleep, every sleep, every time. Once baby can roll both ways on their own, you don't need to reposition them.
- No sleep in swings, rockers, bouncers or inclined sleepersNot even while you watch, and no sleeping in car seats outside the car. Inclined sleepers are banned for a reason. If baby dozes off in one, move them to the crib or bassinet on their back. The only safe sleep surfaces are flat cribs, bassinets, and play yards.
Equipment
- Set up bassinet or crib by your bedBassinet 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.
- Stock 4-5 swaddles of different typesVelcro 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.
- Set up white noise machineVolume under 50 decibels, placed at least 7 feet from baby's head. Continuous noise, not nature sounds or lullabies that cycle off.
- Install blackout curtainsDarkness signals melatonin production. Cover the window completely - even small light leaks affect naps. Test from inside with lights off.
- Place room thermometer near the cribKeep 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.
- Set up baby monitorVideo 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.
Sleep Schedule
- Learn newborn wake windows (45-60 minutes)Newborns can only stay awake 45-60 minutes before they're overtired. Watch for yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness - those are the cues.
- Practice drowsy-but-awake placementPut 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.
- Establish day vs night difference from week oneBright 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.
- Keep night feeds dim and boringRed or amber light only. No talking, no eye contact, no stimulation. Feed, burp, change, back to bed. The goal is 'this is still nighttime.'
Partner Shifts
- Agree on a night shift scheduleSplit 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.
- Prep bottles for night feedsIf 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.
- Set up a night feeding stationDim 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.
Troubleshooting
- Know when to transition from swaddle to sleep sackWhen 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.
- Offer a pacifier after feeding is establishedOPTIONALAAP recommends pacifiers at sleep time after breastfeeding is established (around 3-4 weeks). Reduces SIDS risk. Don't stress if it falls out.
Check it off together
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