The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warn that infants should not co-sleep with their parents. Others argue that, if done safely, co-sleeping has benefits for both parents and child.

Co-sleeping: Possible Risks
Risk of suffocating. During co-sleeping, a baby can be hurt by:

• Getting trapped by the bed frame, headboard or footboard
• Getting trapped between the bed and the wall, furniture or other object
• Falling from the bed onto piles of clothing, plastic bags or other soft materials
• Suffocating on a waterbed, mattress or soft bedding (pillows, blankets, quilts, etc.)
• Having a parent (especially a parent who has used alcohol or drugs) roll on top of the baby

Co-sleeping and SIDS. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)  is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old. Some researchers believe that co-sleeping might increase the risk of SIDS. Others believe it might reduce risks, since co-sleeping parents and babies tend to wake up more often during the night. Most experts do agree that co-sleeping may increase the risk of SIDS if the parent is a smoker.

Other potential problems. Co-sleeping may keep parents from getting a good night's sleep. A baby who co-sleeps may have trouble falling asleep:

• Whe she is alone at naptime
• When she needs to go to sleep before her parent is ready

Co-Sleeping: Possible Benefits
Not everyone agrees with these warnings. Co-sleeping is common in many parts of the world, and some people feel that it has benefits as well as risks.

Supporters say that parents won't roll over onto a baby because they're aware of the baby's presence, even when they’re asleep. They also believe that co-sleeping can benefit the parents and baby because it:

• Makes nighttime breastfeeding more convenient
• Helps the mother get into the same sleep cycle as her baby
• Helps babies fall asleep more easily and get more nighttime sleep
• Helps parents feel closer to their baby
• Is a traditional practice in their culture

Safer Co-Sleeping: DOs and DON’Ts
If you do decide to share your bed with a baby under 12 months old, take note of the following:

DOs:

• Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep. Babies who sleep on their backs have less risk of SIDS than babies who sleep on their tummies or sides.
• Always leave your child's head uncovered while sleeping.
• Remove headboards, footboards and side rails where the baby could become trapped.
• Remove cords and drapes from nearby windows.
• Remove any strings or ties from your and the baby’s pajamas.
• Remove soft bedding.
• Place a tight-fitting fitted sheet on the mattress.
• Make sure that there are no spaces between the bed and the wall or furniture.
• Make sure your mattress fits snugly in the bed frame (or place the mattress on the floor).
• Make sure there is nothing near the bed that could suffocate or strangle the baby.

DON’Ts

• Never put a baby to sleep in an adult bed alone.
• Never place your baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress or other very soft surface.
• Never place pillows, comforters, quilts or other soft/plush items on top of or under your baby.
• Never sleep with your baby if you smoke, have been drinking, or have used medicines or drugs that make it hard for you to wake up.
• Never overdress your baby for sleep or overheat the room.

March 2008