Follow these recommendations for a safe sleep environment for your little one: 1  Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on the stomach or side. 2  Use a firm sleep surface. 3  Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. 4  Avoid overheating. 5  Keep your baby away from smokers. 6  Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier. But if your baby rejects the pacifier, don't force it. If the pacifier falls out during sleep, you don't have to replace it.