Building a bedtime routine that supports safer sleep
Short answer: Do the same calm steps each night and always put your baby down the same way: on their back, feet to foot, in a clear cot.
Step by step
- Bath, sleeping bag, feed, story, cot: keep the order the same.
- Same sleep space for naps and nights.
What the guidance says
- Keep the routine consistent. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but are sometimes put on their fronts are at higher risk.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in the feet-to-foot position (feet at the bottom of the cot, Moses basket or pram).
- Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, pods, nests, wedges or anything to keep your baby in place.
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Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 2 month old sleep in a toddler bed?How much space do I need for a cot bed?What do I need for a newborn's sleep?Where should I put a crib in the nursery?Flat head and tummy time quizCan twins share a cot?All safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice (accessed 2026-10-21)
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.