The sleeping environment is important for your baby to sleep well and is an essential factor in preventing sudden infant death syndrome.
Sleep safely – always on your back
During the first year of life, always lay your baby on his back to sleep! This sleeping position allows you to breathe best. Since parents have been advised against letting their baby sleep on their stomach, the number of cases of sudden infant death syndrome has decreased significantly.
Lying on your side as a sleeping position is also not recommended. It also carries a higher risk and there is also a risk of the baby rolling onto its stomach. If your child prefers to fall asleep on his stomach, turn him onto his back while he sleeps and gradually encourage him to fall asleep on his back.
Of course, you should always lay your child on his stomach during the day when he is awake - this strengthens the neck and back muscles, avoids possible one-sided deformation of the skull and also gives your baby variety in his view of the world.
Bed, bassinet or cradle – safe and secure
In the first weeks and months of life, a newborn is best cared for in a cradle or bassinet. Because the sleeping space is not too big, it feels wrapped up and safe. If you want to use a crib right from the start, you can visually limit the crib so that the baby doesn't feel lost. For example, specialist retailers have a short headliner that only extends to the bars. Under no circumstances should the crib be made smaller with soft or fluffy materials in which the baby's face could sink or which could cause heat to build up.
Our ancestors already knew that rocking calms and has a positive effect on children's sleep. We now know that gentle, rhythmic movement is good for children's overall development - an argument for the good old baby cradle. Another way to gently rock your child to sleep is with a baby hammock. If you choose this option, please find out exactly which type of hammock is suitable for this purpose.
No matter what you choose, it is important that the sleeping place is safe and offers enough space for adequate air circulation. This is why we generally advise against letting infants sleep permanently in a stroller or in a baby carrier.