What is co-sleeping?
Co-sleeping has been broadly defined as being in close proximity to an infant while you both sleep. Typically, that means being able to see, hear and touch them if needed. Pediatricians recommend room sharing with a newborn and young infant to respond to their needs – but they do not recommend sleeping in the same bed as them. That’s known as bed sharing – when a baby shares a bed or sleep surface with someone else, typically, an adult caregiver like a mom or dad. This is not something infants should do.
Why do doctors recommend against bedsharing?
Bedsharing greatly increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). When someone falls asleep in the same bed as a baby they could accidentally hurt the baby without meaning to. There is a risk of rolling over on the baby, or getting loose blankets, bedding or pillows in the baby’s face. Infants do not have good head control and have very tiny airways that are easy to block. Safe sleep recommendations ensure the airway can stay clear to help support your baby’s breathing.
What should parents do instead?
Following safe sleep recommendations can greatly decrease the risk of SUID. Safe sleep practices include:
- Placing babies on their back to sleep
- Making sure babies sleep alone/on their own sleep surface with no other people
- Using a firm, flat surface for sleep. A firm surface means it shouldn’t sink in when a baby lies on it.
- Keeping loose blankets, pillows, or other soft items outside of the sleep space
- Room-sharing. Sleeping in the same room as a baby. This still allows parents to watch, comfort, and feed their baby easily.
What are other ways to lower the risk of SUID?
- Avoiding nicotine or smoking, alcohol, or medications that can make you sleepy (such as opioids) when caring for your baby
- Breastfeeding or feeding babies expressed breast milk as you are able
- Taking babies to all regular checkups with the pediatrician
- Allowing your baby to use a pacifier after breastfeeding is established, around 3 weeks of age
- Keep the baby in a comfortable environment that is not too hot (roughly 68F to 72F or 20C to 22C) and avoid overheating
What are we still learning?
We are still learning about why certain babies die from SUID. Some studies have looked at babies' brain structures and chemicals in the brain. While we are still researching these differences between babies, we do know that certain factors, such as bed sharing, increase the risk of SUID for all babies.
To decrease the risk of infant death, families should avoid bed sharing and follow safe sleep recommendations. If you have questions about safe sleep, talk with your pediatrician.
References
- https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/?srsltid=AfmBOoqIkZc7GxlEl-C-GzASYl43uWTcXNMoaZaJKr2JXlVUxdZ-oluv
- https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx
- https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/co-sleeping-no-matter-where-raises-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-data-show
What is co-sleeping?
Co-sleeping has been broadly defined as being in close proximity to an infant while you both sleep. Typically, that means being able to see, hear and touch them if needed. Pediatricians recommend room sharing with a newborn and young infant to respond to their needs – but they do not recommend sleeping in the same bed as them. That’s known as bed sharing – when a baby shares a bed or sleep surface with someone else, typically, an adult caregiver like a mom or dad. This is not something infants should do.
Why do doctors recommend against bedsharing?
Bedsharing greatly increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). When someone falls asleep in the same bed as a baby they could accidentally hurt the baby without meaning to. There is a risk of rolling over on the baby, or getting loose blankets, bedding or pillows in the baby’s face. Infants do not have good head control and have very tiny airways that are easy to block. Safe sleep recommendations ensure the airway can stay clear to help support your baby’s breathing.
What should parents do instead?
Following safe sleep recommendations can greatly decrease the risk of SUID. Safe sleep practices include:
- Placing babies on their back to sleep
- Making sure babies sleep alone/on their own sleep surface with no other people
- Using a firm, flat surface for sleep. A firm surface means it shouldn’t sink in when a baby lies on it.
- Keeping loose blankets, pillows, or other soft items outside of the sleep space
- Room-sharing. Sleeping in the same room as a baby. This still allows parents to watch, comfort, and feed their baby easily.
What are other ways to lower the risk of SUID?
- Avoiding nicotine or smoking, alcohol, or medications that can make you sleepy (such as opioids) when caring for your baby
- Breastfeeding or feeding babies expressed breast milk as you are able
- Taking babies to all regular checkups with the pediatrician
- Allowing your baby to use a pacifier after breastfeeding is established, around 3 weeks of age
- Keep the baby in a comfortable environment that is not too hot (roughly 68F to 72F or 20C to 22C) and avoid overheating
What are we still learning?
We are still learning about why certain babies die from SUID. Some studies have looked at babies' brain structures and chemicals in the brain. While we are still researching these differences between babies, we do know that certain factors, such as bed sharing, increase the risk of SUID for all babies.
To decrease the risk of infant death, families should avoid bed sharing and follow safe sleep recommendations. If you have questions about safe sleep, talk with your pediatrician.
References
- https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/?srsltid=AfmBOoqIkZc7GxlEl-C-GzASYl43uWTcXNMoaZaJKr2JXlVUxdZ-oluv
- https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx
- https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/co-sleeping-no-matter-where-raises-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-data-show
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