Preparing the baby’s room: a safe sleep space and room set-up

For many families, preparing the baby’s room is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting ready. A lovely room matters, but a safe sleep space matters more. The principles below follow the general line of the AAP, the NHS and the World Health Organization.

Safe sleep rules

• Put your baby to sleep on their back for every sleep, day and night.
• Use a flat, firm mattress that fits the cot without gaps.
• Keep pillows, duvets, bumpers and toys out of the cot; the baby should lie on a tight sheet only.
• Do not let your baby sleep on a sofa, armchair or other soft surface.
• Keep their head uncovered and place their feet near the foot of the cot.
• A baby sleeping bag may be a safer choice than a loose blanket.
• Keep your baby away from tobacco smoke; the home should be smoke-free.

These are general recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death; your doctor or midwife may add advice for your situation.

Sleeping in the same room

Many health bodies recommend that, for at least the first six months, the baby sleeps in the same room as a parent but on their own sleep surface. It also makes night feeds and checking easier. Talk to your doctor about the risks of bed-sharing. For sleep routines, see the Guide article “newborn sleep and feeding routine”.

Room temperature and clothing

The baby’s room is generally kept at around 16–20 °C, in line with NHS advice. Feel the back of the neck or chest: if sweaty and hot, remove a layer; if cool, add one. Hands and feet are often a little cool, which alone does not mean the baby is cold. A room thermometer helps.

Painted furniture and airing

• Freshly painted walls and new furniture can give off fumes for the first days. Prepare the room at least a few weeks before the birth.
• Air the room often; open the window several times a day.
• Do not use painted or varnished furniture that is peeling, cracked or strongly smelling.
• Air out new furniture, rugs and curtains before the baby arrives.
• Check the label that the product is made for children.

Anchoring furniture

Chests of drawers, bookcases and changing tables can tip over once your baby starts climbing and pulling. Anchor them to the wall with suitable fittings. Put heavy items on lower shelves. Never leave a baby alone on a changing table.

You do not have to move your baby into a separate room; in the early months a corner of your bedroom can be enough. What matters is that the sleep surface is safe and tidy.

Other safety points in the room

• Fit socket covers; keep cables out of reach.
• Keep curtain and blind cords away from the cot.
• Place the cot away from windows, radiators and corded curtains.
• Route monitor or camera cables out of the baby’s reach.
• Do not leave soft toys, hanging decorations or thin bags around the cot.

When to contact your doctor

• If your baby cannot be woken, breathes irregularly or looks blue, call 112 (in Turkey) or your local emergency number straight away.
• If your baby is repeatedly sweaty, very hot or very cold in sleep, talk to your doctor.
• You can share any worries about your baby’s sleep with your family doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Does my baby need a pillow? Not in the early months. Under safe sleep advice, a cot should not contain a pillow.

Why are cot bumpers not recommended? Soft bumpers may pose a suffocation risk and do not always prevent falls.

What if I feel very tired during night feeds? If you might doze off while feeding, avoid sofas and armchairs and ask for support. Sharing the night load with a partner or relatives also makes things safer.

This text is general information; for your baby’s own situation, your doctor’s advice comes first.