October Is Safe Sleep Month! All About Kids Sleep Safety

October is Safe Sleep Month, a reminder for parents and caregivers that safer sleep doesn’t stop after the baby stage. As your little ones grow into toddlers and school-aged kids, their sleep needs – along with safe sleep best practices – continue to evolve.

Maybe your kiddo just graduated to a “big kid” bed or maybe you’re navigating bedtime routines that compete with sports, homework and after-school activities. No matter the stage, kids' sleep safety means creating a sleep environment that supports healthy rest while lowering safety risks like overheating, trip hazards and poor air quality.

The good news is that with a few simple children’s sleep tips, you can make bedtime smoother and their sleep space safer. Plus, you can even do it without adding stress to your already full plate! 

This Safe Sleep Month, let’s revisit what a safe sleeping environment for kids looks like and how small changes can help you and your child rest easier.

As children get older, sleep safety concerns change. While they’re still infants, the focus is on ensuring their sleep space is free of hazards linked to SIDS. Once they’re old enough to leave the crib, the focus changes to preventing falls from bed and ensuring a restful night.

Temporary guardrails can prevent falls during the transition to a bigger bed as they get used to being outside of a crib. To help avoid restless nights, breathable bedding helps prevent overheating, and keeping toys and clutter out of bed reduces distractions, so they can settle in easier. 

If your child sleepwalks, keep doors locked and pathways clear of obstacles to prevent injuries. (Sleep talking, on the other hand, is usually harmless and often just a sign that they’re overtired and need a bit more rest.)

A child’s bedroom is often where they spend a lot of their time, especially if it doubles as a playroom. That makes it easy for clutter to pile up and small hazards to go unnoticed. 

A few thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference in keeping your kiddo’s room a safer space for sleep.

Start with a solid foundation. A kids mattress should be firm enough to support growing bodies and appropriately sized for their stage. Once they’ve outgrown a crib or toddler bed, a twin or full mattress is usually a good fit. The right support helps align the spine, reduces rolling and encourages restful sleep through the night.

Less is often more for kids bedding. Stick with the essentials for warmth and comfort, avoiding piles of pillows or heavy blankets that can trap heat. A lighter, simpler setup helps prevent overheating and creates a tidier, more soothing sleep space.

Look around your child’s room from their point of view. Are there cords near the bed? Unsecured furniture? Make sure blinds, electronics and cords are out of reach, and anchor tall dressers or bookshelves to the wall to prevent tip-overs. Small changes like these make a big impact on kids' sleep safety.

Clean air supports better sleep and overall well-being. Look for mattresses and bedding with certifications like GREENGUARD Gold and EWG Verified® to help limit chemical emissions and promote healthier air quality where your child rests.

Once your child’s room is set up for safe sleep, focus on their sleep routine. Consistency is one of the most effective children’s sleep tips for building healthy habits. A predictable routine tells their body when it’s time to wind down, helping them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Try setting a regular bedtime and sticking to it throughout the week. Going to bed at the same time each night helps regulate your child’s circadian rhythm, making mornings less of a battle. In the hour before bed, shift to calmer activities – reading a story together, listening to soft music or chatting quietly about their day. Turning off screens early is key since blue light from tablets and TVs can interfere with melatonin production.

When it’s time for the lights to be turned off, a small nightlight or favorite stuffed animal can offer comfort and security. Just be sure to keep the bed itself uncluttered and the room dark enough for deep, restorative rest.

There are a few certifications to look for that are helpful for evaluating the health and safety of kids mattresses and bedding. They’re independent standards that confirm products have been tested to meet strict guidelines for certain safety and health standards. Looking for these certifications can help families make more informed choices for their little ones.

GREENGUARD Gold certification highlights products that emit very low levels of chemicals, supporting cleaner, healthier indoor air. The EWG Verified mark from the Environmental Working Group proves that a product meets standards for transparency and avoids materials linked to potential health concerns. Another helpful standard, U/L Formaldehyde Free, screens for formaldehyde – a chemical sometimes found in household materials – to reduce the risk of exposure in your child’s sleep space.

Together, these certifications create a clearer picture of what’s inside the products your child uses every day. Understanding them can help you choose materials that support both comfort and peace of mind.

There’s no shortage of advice about how children should sleep, but not all of it is true. One common belief is that hand-me-down or oversized mattresses are fine for kids to use. While this can seem practical, older mattresses may no longer offer proper support, and an ill-fitting bed frame can leave unsafe gaps at the edges where a child could get stuck. A well-supported, correctly sized mattress helps maintain healthy spinal alignment and keeps your child comfortable as they grow.

There is also a misconception that extra blankets and pillows make a bed cozier and therefore better for kiddos. In reality, too much bedding can trap heat and raise the risk of overheating – one of the most common causes of nighttime restlessness for kids. Keeping the setup simple with lightweight, breathable bedding helps regulate temperature and promotes deeper, more restful sleep.

Another myth is that sleep safety only applies to babies. While the focus naturally shifts as children grow, safety remains just as important through every stage of development. For toddlers and older kids, it’s less about avoiding suffocation hazards and more about maintaining supportive materials, good air quality and consistent routines. Creating a sleep environment that grows with your child helps them rest easier and supports healthy habits that last well beyond the early years.

Safe Sleep Month is a chance to focus on creating safe, supportive sleep spaces for kids. But it doesn’t mean you need to aim for perfection. The important thing is making small, steady changes that give your child a safe sleeping environment and a better night’s rest. You’re doing your best – and that’s exactly what your little one needs.