Can a Baby Sleep on the Playmat?

Baby play mats are designed for play, but what about when playtime is over and your baby is tired?

It's common for babies to simply fall asleep on their play mats. When that happens, you don't want to risk waking them up just to move them over to the crib. Then again, as a parent, you also worry about your child's safety. During infancy, even a thoughtless act like leaving a blanket in the crib can carry risk. So can your baby sleep on a playmat?

The answer is that while babies can nap on their playmat if they've fallen asleep on it, it's not a good location for longer sleep periods. The safest place for a baby to sleep is a crib with a firm mattress, a very fitted sheet, and nothing else. However, with a few important precautions, you can allow your baby to nap on their playmat should they fall asleep naturally. In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know about keeping your baby safe during those playmat naps.

Table Of Contents

1. Benefits of Napping on Play Mats
2. 7 Safety Practices for Sleeping on Play Mats
3. How to Choose the Best Baby PlayMat for Your Baby
4. Bottom Line: What is the right thing to do?

Letting your baby fall asleep on the playmat every once in a while is okay, and even has some benefits. Here are some reasons why you may want to let your baby have a playmat nap:

• Safety: Playmats allow your baby to nap on the floor, which is usually very safe since it is flat, firm, and level.
• Comfort: Playmats add a hint of cushioning, making for a soft and cozy surface for your baby to sleep on, but not so soft that they lose the support of the firm floor.
• Teaches healthier sleep: It's often good news to see your baby fall asleep. They need their rest at this young age, and being able to sleep in different environments is beneficial for their development, and helps them learn to fall asleep by themselves. This could have a beneficial impact on their sleep quality for the rest of their life!
• Great on the go: By letting your baby sleep on the playmat, their napping schedule won't have to impact your ability to go out and about too severely. With a portable mat, you can visit relatives or go to the park, knowing that your baby can always have a bit of tummy time and then a nap.

The most important thing is that you keep your baby safe when they're sleeping or napping. Taking into account guidance from the Safe to Sleep campaign, here's our advice on how to handle your baby falling asleep on their playmat.

Keep Mat On Floor

The play mat should be splayed out on the floor if you'll allow your child to fall asleep. The firm, level surface protects your child from the risk of sleep-related infant death. Having them on the ground means they can't roll over and fall somewhere.

Back Sleeping Only

Stomach sleeping is associated with a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For your child's safety, make sure that they fall asleep on their back, especially if they haven't learned to roll over yet. If they fall asleep on their stomach, reposition them so they're on their back.

Supervision At All Times

Spontaneous naps on the play mat should always be supervised. Don't leave your child alone in the room. Unlike in a crib, there are too many variables outside of your control, including a minor risk that your baby will become tangled in the playmat itself.

Clear the Mat of Potential Hazards

Remove all toys, blankets, or pillows from the play mat while your baby is sleeping. The area should be completely bare to prevent risks.

Be Mindful of Location

In general, you always want to place the play mat far away from potential dangers, be it stairs, furniture with sharp corners, precariously-placed objects, and rowdy siblings or pets. This is especially important if your baby is already rolling over or crawling.

Sleep-Appropriate Clothes

Your child's clothing should be simple, with layers to prevent the cold. Our baby pajamas and sleep sacks are all wonderful options for naps on the mat or bedtime.

Keep an Eye On the Clock

Playmat naps should only last as long as you can reasonably supervise your baby. Never let your baby sleep on the playmat overnight or for long periods - at that point, you should move them into a crib.

When choosing a playmat that can also serve as a cozy napping surface for your baby, here are our main tips:

Consider the type

Fabric mats are the most popular option for parents of newborns because they're a great fit for infant playtime. They're like soft, slightly cushioned blankets designed to splay out on the floor. They give your child the right balance of firmness and cushioning for naptime, with the added bonus of portability.

Foam mats are usually thick, firm, and large, designed to stay in one place. They often serve as a play surface during later babyhood and early toddler years. As long as they're very firm, they can be a safe surface for babies to nap on.

Material and safety standards

Confirm that your baby's playmat is made of safe materials. When it comes to fabric play mats, look for ones made of natural fabrics like linen or cotton, ideally with certification to prove that they're free from harmful chemicals.

WildBird Playmats are made with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified fabrics, which means they have been tested and found free from over 1000 dangerous substances.

Hygiene and ease of cleaning

Any material your baby comes in contact with should be hygienic. Consider how you'll clean your mat, as you'll need to do it often. With fabric playmats, it's important that they're washable. Foam mats should be easy to wipe down. Be wary of textured or porous designs that might hold germs.

Size, thickness, and firmness

Choose a playmat that's large enough to create a stimulating surface for your baby. It should be quite firm or not compromise the firmness of the floor. This is especially important if you'll let your child nap on the mattress, as overly-soft surfaces can pose a risk. As your baby gets older and learns to crawl, you may want a mat with a larger surface area.

Your Baby's Nap-Friendly Playmat

Our WildBird Playmat is a great option for newborn playtime and spontaneous naps. It's lightly cushioned for comfort without compromising the firmness of the surface beneath it. Your baby will feel cozy atop of the soft cotton-linen mat, and you'll love the stylish reversible design.

You'll have no trouble tossing it into the washing machine when it's time. It's portable and easy-to-clean, so you can bring it with you wherever you go and let your baby enjoy play time, tummy time, and short, supervised naps

You can let your baby sleep on the playmat for short periods, especially if they fall asleep spontaneously during play time. Keep an eye on them during these naps, and make sure their environment is safe. With our European linen WildBird Playmat, your baby can enjoy stimulating play and cozy naps even when you're out and about.