Always place your child on their back to sleep.

Place your child on their back to sleep from the beginning. Lying on the back has proven to be the safest sleeping position.

Often there is a concern that a child lying on their back may inhale vomit more easily. There is no conclusive evidence of this. Your child has protective reflexes that also work well when lying on their back. However, vary the position of the head when sleeping by adjusting it toward the light, as your child instinctively turns their head towards the light. This means that the child’s head should be at the foot end one time and the head end the next. Carry and feed your child alternately on the right and left arm to avoid developing a preference for one side. This reduces the chance of a one-sided flattening of the head. Furthermore, any flattening that does occur usually corrects itself naturally over the first year. Please do not use positioning pillows.

If your child is lying on your body, ensure that they always have clear airways. When your child is awake and playing, regularly place them on their stomach. Under supervision, tummy time helps them develop motor skills and learn to crawl.

Smoking: No.

Smoking is a risk factor for many diseases. Smoking is harmful not only to the smoker but also to your child, both during pregnancy and after birth. Ensure a smoke-free environment for your child, even during pregnancy. This request is directed at mothers, fathers, and other smokers. No smoking should ever occur around the child.

Child within reach

Let your child sleep in the parents' bedroom during their first year, but in their own cot. The sounds and movements of the parents positively stimulate the baby. You are not spoiling your child; they need your presence. Having the cot next to the parents' bed also benefits breastfeeding.

Sleeping in a separate room is less ideal for the child’s safe sleep.

Suitable sleeping bags to prevent covering and overheating

Avoid blankets and cloths in the cot for sleeping; dress your child in a suitable sleeping bag. – Blankets and cloths can be pulled over the child’s head and face or may lead to them burrowing under. Your child may end up on top of the blanket and sink into it. Both can lead to overheating and rebreathing of exhaled air. The head is the main area for heat regulation in small children, so the head and face must remain uncovered.

Important:

• Ensure the sleeping bag size suits your child’s body length. Regular newborns are usually size 50. To find the correct length for a suitable sleeping bag, subtract the child’s head length from their total length and add 10 cm.
• The neck opening must be small enough so that the child’s head cannot slip through.
• The armholes should not be too large, as the child could slip down in the sleeping bag, pressing the neck opening against their soft neck.
• If your child is cold, dress them slightly warmer. Never combine a sleeping bag with a blanket.

Room to breathe: Avoid rebreathing and overheating

The mattress should be relatively firm and breathable. Pillows, sheepskin, cot bumpers, or too-soft mattresses do not belong in a baby cot. The child’s head should not sink too deeply (maximum depth 1.5–2 cm). This can lead to overheating and rebreathing of stale air, making it harder for the child to reflexively wake from critical situations.

Soft toys can restrict air circulation and cause heat to build up if your child’s face is pressed against them or covered by them. Instead, attach any toys at the top of the cot’s bars. Your child does not need these items for sleep.

Avoid waterproof pads or sheepskin in the cot. These are also non-breathable and can lead to overheating. Long mosquito nets, cloths, or loose bedding are dangerous because your child could pull them over their head or become entangled.

Optimal room temperature for sleeping

A room temperature of 16–18°C is ideal for sleeping. Ensure sufficient ventilation in the bedroom (air it out 2–3 times for about 10 minutes daily).

Babies often have cold hands and feet. This is not an indicator of their body temperature. You can check their temperature by feeling between their shoulder blades: Your child should feel warm, but not sweaty. Indoors, your child does not need gloves, a hat, or warm jackets. Adjust their clothing to the room temperature.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Breastfeeding offers many well-known benefits, and one more: It makes your baby’s sleep safer. Try to exclusively breastfeed for six months. For advice on when your child may need additional food, consult your paediatrician or midwife.

Do not stop breastfeeding if you cannot quit smoking. However, avoid smoking near breastfeeding time; avoid smoking for at least two hours before breastfeeding.

Dummies

Studies show that pacifiers make a baby’s sleep safer. Only give your baby a dummy once breastfeeding is well-established. Allow yourself and your baby time to adjust to breastfeeding first. Do not delay or skip a feed by offering a dummy. Offer the dummy only after breastfeeding. The child’s need to suckle should be met at the mother’s breast first.

If your child uses a dummy for sleep, they should always have it to sleep. After the first birthday, your child no longer needs a dummy for sleep. It is easier to wean a child from a dummy than from thumb-sucking.

Maintain consistent daily routines and rituals for babies

Each child’s sleep needs vary, just like adults. Babies typically begin sleeping through the night (5–6 hours) only after several months. Your young child needs consistent daily routines. Frequent changes in routine and feeding times can be stressful for young children, disrupting sleep and should be avoided.

Maintain a set daily schedule with regular feeding, care, and sleep routines. Sometimes external factors prevent a child from sleeping. Sometimes, however, it may be due to stomach acid rising, causing discomfort (reflux = GÖR). Gas can also make the child restless.

If your child sleeps poorly, is very restless, or does not sleep at all, speak with your paediatrician or midwife. Soothing medications are not a safe solution to these issues.