Sleep Awareness Month: Safe Sleep Tips for Your Newborn

In those first weeks with your newborn, every day brings something new. You start to learn your baby’s rhythms, their cues, and what helps them feel settled. And for many parents, one of the biggest surprises is how their newborn sleeps, or the lack of it. 

March is Sleep Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of healthy sleep for people of all ages. For babies, sleep plays an especially important role in growth, brain development, and emotional regulation.

While newborn sleep may not always feel predictable, creating a safe and supportive sleep environment can make a meaningful difference for both babies and parents.

Here are a few gentle ways to help support your baby’s sleep during those first months.

A safe sleep environment is one of the most important ways to support your baby in the early months. This can help reduce risks and give parents peace of mind while their little ones rest.

Some safe sleep recommendations include:

• Placing your baby on their back for every sleep
• Using a firm, flat sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet
• Keeping the sleep space clear of loose blankets, pillows, and toys
• Sharing a room with your baby, but not the same sleep surface
• Keeping the room at a comfortable temperature and avoiding overheating

These small steps help create a space where babies can sleep safely and comfortably.

To support families during Sleep Awareness Month, Nest Designs partnered with Plume Sleep Co, a nurse-led sleep support service focused on helping parents better understand infant sleep.

Together, we created a free newborn sleep guide designed to help parents feel more confident navigating the early months.

Inside the guide, you’ll learn:

• What newborn sleep actually looks like
• How sleep evolves in the first three months
• Safe sleep essentials every parent should know
• What’s really happening during the 4-month sleep shift

If you're expecting a baby or adjusting to life with a newborn, this guide offers helpful insight into what sleep can look like during those early weeks. 

Get the free guide to learn more about newborn sleep in the first three months. 

One question many new parents find themselves asking is, “Is my baby dressed warmly enough for sleep?” It can feel confusing at first, especially when you’re trying to keep your little one comfortable while also making sure they don’t get too warm.

Because babies can’t regulate their body temperature as easily as adults, finding the right balance of layers is important. A simple rule many parents follow is dressing their baby in one more layer than they would wear in the same room temperature.

Since loose blankets aren’t recommended for newborn sleep, sleep bags can help keep babies cozy while keeping their sleep space safe and clear. Breathable fabrics can also help regulate temperature and keep babies comfortable throughout the night.

With a comfortable sleep environment in place, gentle bedtime cues can also help babies begin to settle for sleep.

Even though newborn sleep can feel unpredictable, gentle routines can help create a calm transition into bedtime.

Bedtime routines don’t need to be complicated. Small steps like dimming the lights, putting on sleepwear, sharing a quiet cuddle, or singing a short lullaby can help create a calm transition into sleep. Over time, these familiar cues help babies begin to recognize when it’s time to wind down.

Even with safe sleep practices and a calm sleep environment in place, infant sleep can still bring a lot of questions. Many parents find themselves wondering what’s normal, when sleep patterns start to change, and how best to support their baby as they grow.

Plume Sleep Co supports new parents in building healthy sleep foundations for their newborns. Their approach is centred around realistic expectations, responsive care, and gentle guidance. They help families feel more confident as they navigate the early months of their baby’s sleep journey.

What are the safe sleep guidelines for newborns?
Newborns should always be placed on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface such as a crib or bassinet. The sleep space should be clear of loose blankets, pillows, and toys.

How should I dress my newborn for sleep?
A common guideline is dressing your baby in one more layer than you would wear in the same room temperature. Breathable sleepwear and sleep bags can help keep babies comfortable while maintaining a safe sleep space.

Do newborns need a bedtime routine?
Newborns don’t follow strict schedules, but simple cues like dimming the lights, changing into sleepwear, or a quiet cuddle can help signal that it’s time for sleep.

The newborn stage is a time of learning for both babies and parents. Some nights will feel smoother than others, and that’s completely normal.

Creating a safe sleep space, introducing gentle routines, and understanding what’s typical in the early months can help make this season feel a little more manageable.

And sometimes, simply knowing what to expect can make all the difference.