Baby Sleeping On The Floor: Safety, Benefits, And Precautions

Image: iStock

If you frequently discover your baby sleeping on the floor or if your baby enjoys spending time on the floor, you may wonder if napping on the floor is safe for your baby and if there are any potential benefits.

Sleeping on the floor is a centuries-old custom still practiced in many cultures. However, you must take some measures if you want to let your baby sleep on the floor.

This post discusses the answers to various concerns that you may have about your infant slumbering on the floor and provides some safety measures.

In This Article

Key Pointers

Babies can sleep on their back on firm surfaces after consulting a pediatrician.
Sleeping on the floor allows for sleeping freely, preventing falls and accidental suffocation, and offers the freedom to get up by themselves.
Clearing the floor and keeping electric cords and plugs tied away from the baby are a few precautions to observe.

Is Sleeping On The Floor Safe For Babies?

According to the Canadian Government safety standards, children under one year of age need to sleep on their backs on a firm surface (1). As the floor is a firm surface, you can make your baby sleep on the floor as long as you take all the necessary measures. However, talk to your pediatrician and take their opinion before making the decision.

Yes, letting your baby sleep on the ground means more baby-proofing and extra precautions, but it could all be worth it since the benefits of snoozing on the floor outweigh the risks. Are you wondering what these benefits could be? Read on.

Quick fact

Don’t put your baby to sleep on the floor in a baby positioner. According to experts, baby positioners can cause suffocation, leading to adverse consequences (3).

Potential Benefits Of The Baby Sleeping On The Floor

There are a few benefits of a baby sleeping on the floor. However, the ultimate decision to let your baby sleep on the floor depends on you and how your baby reacts to it. Also, it is best to talk to your pediatrician before opting for it. The following are a few benefits of a baby sleeping on the floor.

1. Sleep anytime, anywhere

Babies who like sleeping on the floor can sleep anytime and anywhere

Image: IStock

If your baby likes to sleep on the ground, it is easy to get them to sleep anytime, anywhere. You need not carry expensive bedding or portable cribs. All you need is a simple blanket.

2. Get a good sleep

You can conveniently nurse the baby without the need to move them in and out of the crib or bassinet

. This will help you keep those night feeds low-key and also give you a good night’s sleep. It may also allow you to have the space to co-sleep with your baby in the same room without the risks of accidental strangulation or suffocation.

3. Say goodbye to falling

When sleeping on the floor, there is no danger of falling

Image: IStock

Unlike the crib or bassinet, the floor offers a large space for the baby to sleep freely. If your baby has the habit of rolling over while sleeping, the floor may be the best place for them to sleep, as there is no danger of them falling.

4. Prevent SIDS

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately 1,389 mortalities attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The floor is a firm and flat surface; thus, it is the recommended surface to prevent SIDS in infants (1).

5. Encourage independence

Sleeping on the floor not only averts the dangers of falling and suffocating, but also gives your baby the freedom to get up all by themselves, without your help. Sleeping on the floor allows your child to independently and confidently explore their surroundings. This allows them an opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills.

Anne, a mother from the mountains of Montanna, shares about her baby’s nursery setup. She writes, “Elise (her daughter) has been sleeping on her floor bed at night and for naps since she was twelve weeks old. Before that, she slept in a bassinet or with me on the couch. Having a floor bed has really worked out well for our family.” Sharing one of the many benefits of having a floor bed, Anne says, “Elise’s room is upstairs, and when she wakes up from a nap, we can hear her through the ceiling, crawling to either her shelf or her closet! She rarely wakes up crying – we end up going upstairs because we want to see her, not because she needs us (i).”

6. Enjoy more bonding time

The floor is perfect for safely interacting with your baby

Image: IStock

Sleeping on the floor is a perfect place for bed-sharing with your baby, as bed-sharing on the cot or crib is not recommended.

To let your baby reap the maximum benefits of sleeping on the floor, you need to make sure the environment is safe. The next section covers the safety precautions you need to take when your baby is sleeping on the floor.

Safety Measures To Take If Your Baby Is Sleeping On The Floor

It is important to take certain precautions to make the floor a suitable place for your baby to sleep. According to Nilong Vyas, a Louisiana-based board-certified pediatrician, and sleep consultant, “There are many benefits to a baby sleeping on the floor, but several precautions must be taken if that is to be the case. First, a baby must sleep on a flat, hard surface, which the floor provides, so an infant can start to sleep there as soon as a parent feels comfortable.

However, once the infant becomes more mobile (as early as 2-4 months of age), treat the room in which they will be sleeping on the floor as a giant crib. All items on the floor, outside of the mattress the infant may be on, must be out of reach of the infant. And especially once the infant starts to crawl, care must be taken so that wires, furniture, and toys are out of the child’s reach.”

Here are some important safety precautions to ensure that your baby sleeps safely on the floor:

Make sure your baby sleeps on a roll-out bedding or a flat and firm mattress with well-fitted sheets. Avoid placing fluffy pillows or soft mattresses near the baby, as studies suggest that these could lead to suffocation (2).

If you live in an area with a warm tropical climate, keep the room well-ventilated. Make sure you have a ceiling or hand fan to keep the baby from getting overheated. Also, do not dress your baby in tight-fitting clothes.

Quick tip

Check the baby’s temperature (hot or cold) by feeling their stomach or the back of their neck to ensure they aren’t feeling too hot or cold.

Ensure to sweep and mop the floor every day to keep dust, mites, and insects away from the floor.

Image: Shutterstock

Do not place rugs, carpets, floor mats, beanbags, or cozy pillows near the baby as it might lead to suffocation. Also, carpets and floor mats attract dust and fungus, which could cause allergies in babies.

Place the baby in a safe spot on the floor, and make sure there are no floor-length drapes or curtains within reach of the child. Also, keep all electric cords and plugs neatly tied to prevent tangling.

Clear the area of items that can easily get knocked over during the night, especially if the space is limited or you are co-sleeping with the baby.

If you live in a mosquito-prone area, ensure all the doors and windows are shut at dawn and dusk. If you wish to use electric coils or mosquito repellants, switch them off before the baby goes into the room.

Use chemical-free mosquito repellents and put mesh doors or screens on doors and windows. You can also use a customized baby mosquito net until they are old enough to roll over.

Image: IStock

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my baby sleep on the floor?

A baby might prefer to sleep on the floor for the comfort the surface might provide. They might prefer to sleep on the floor if their crib is uncomfortable. It could also be because it allows them to fall asleep in their favorite play spot.

2. When can a baby sleep in a floor bed?

Children under the age of one year need a hard surface to sleep upon. Hence, infants under that age may sleep on the floor bed.

3. Can I let my baby sleep on the playmat?

You may let your baby sleep on a playmat for a nap. Remove any toys that might hurt your baby from the playmat. Also, ensure you follow all the sleeping guidelines such as lying on the back and no blankets.

4. Does sleeping on the floor increase the risk of babies developing a flat head?

Vyas asserts, “The risk of their heads becoming flat in a crib versus on the floor is equal. I prefer to choose a place where the infant is allowed the safest sleeping environment.”

Baby sleeping on the floor is considered to be safe until and unless you ensure that the floor is clean and you maintain the necessary precautionary measures. There are several benefits of the baby sleeping on the floor, such as the reduced risk of SIDS, encouraging independence, and also reducing the risk of falling and hurting themselves. But you should make sure that the baby is sleeping on a flat mattress and there are no pillows around them to avoid suffocation. Consult the doctor once before making the final decision.

Infographic: Some More Benefits And Tips For Baby Sleeping On The Floor

Some babies find it convenient, while others prefer the floor to the bed; whatever the reason, it is fine to allow your little one to sleep on the floor, provided you take the necessary precautions. Check out this infographic to note the advantages and tips before letting your baby sleep on the floor.

benefits and tips for baby sleeping on the floor (infographic)

Illustration: Is It Okay To Let A Baby Sleep On The Floor? Pros And Cons

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. A little tour: e’s Montessori nursery;
https://ittybittylove.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-little-tour-es-montessori-nursery.html

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby; Paediatrics Child Health (2004).
2. Roger W Byard and Calle Winskog; Floor mattresses: another potentially dangerous infant sleeping environment; Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health (2011).
3. Do Not Use Infant Sleep Positioners Due to the Risk of Suffocation; USFDA

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed, Paeds

Dr. Elna Gibson is a general pediatrician. She did her MBChB and specialization as a pediatrician in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. She obtained MMed Pediatrics (masters) with distinction in 1993.As a young specialist, Dr.

Read full bio of Dr. Elna Gibson

Dr. Nilong VyasMD Dr. Nilong Vyas is a pediatrician, public health specialist, and board-certified sleep expert. She did her MD and Pediatrics Residency Program at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and Master of Public Health in epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She has 15 years of experience as a pediatrician and sleep expert.
Dr. Nilong Vyas is a pediatrician, public health specialist, and board-certified sleep expert. She did her MD and Pediatrics Residency Program at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and Master of Public Health in epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She has 15 years of experience as a pediatrician and sleep expert.

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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