Place your baby on their back
From birth, place a baby on their back for every sleep. Side sleeping is unstable, and sleeping on the stomach is not suitable. Tummy time for motor development should take place only while awake and under direct supervision.
Later, if your baby can easily roll from back to stomach and back again by themselves, you do not need to keep turning them back. Do not use aids to hold a baby in a particular position. Discuss any different sleep advice given for medical reasons with the clinician.
Choose a separate, empty bed
Use a stable crib or cot with a flat, firm and well-fitting mattress. Keep the bed free of pillows, cot bumpers, large soft toys, baby nests and positioning products. A breathable mattress topper does not make sleeping on the stomach safe.
During the first months, preferably place the baby’s own bed in the parents’ room. Follow the instructions for a bedside crib and avoid gaps where a baby could become trapped. A sofa or armchair is not a place for a baby to sleep.
Use suitable bedding
A well-fitting baby sleeping bag keeps the face clear. Check the neck opening and armholes so the baby cannot slip down inside it. Match clothing and the sleeping bag to the room temperature and feel the back of the baby’s neck to make sure they are not too warm.
Do not use a duvet during the first two years. If you use a sheet and blanket, make the bed up with the bedding low and firmly tucked in, following VeiligheidNL guidance. Stop swaddling before your baby can roll and ask for guidance if you are considering swaddling.
Make a plan for tiring nights
Plan in advance how you will return the baby to their own bed after a feed. Set a timer if needed and share night-time tasks when possible. Alcohol, drugs and sedating medicines increase the risks associated with sharing a bed and providing care at night.
Do not let anyone smoke near the baby or in rooms where the baby spends time. Sleep products with claims about breathing or preventing sudden infant death syndrome do not replace any of the basic advice. If you are unsure, ask your kraamzorg carer or the Dutch youth healthcare service for advice.
Sources for this guide
This guide provides general information. Your healthcare professional or the competent authority can explain what applies in your situation.
- VeiligheidNL: the 4 steps for safe sleepAccessed on 2026-09-07
- VeiligheidNL: a safe baby bedAccessed on 2026-09-07
- VeiligheidNL: a safe child’s mattressAccessed on 2026-09-07