From the Guidelines
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should not co-sleep in the same bed with parents at any age. Instead, infants should sleep in their own sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet, or bedside sleeper, in the parents' room for at least the first 6 months, ideally the first year of life 1. This arrangement allows for close proximity for feeding and monitoring while avoiding the risks associated with bed-sharing. Co-sleeping in the same bed increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and entrapment. The risk is particularly high when parents are overtired, have consumed alcohol or medications that cause drowsiness, or when sleeping on soft surfaces like couches or waterbeds. If parents choose to feed their baby in bed, they should place the baby back in their separate sleep space when finished. Room-sharing without bed-sharing has been shown to reduce SIDS risk by as much as 50% while still allowing for convenient nighttime feeding and the reassurance of having the baby nearby 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Infants should sleep on a separate sleep surface designed for infants, close to the parent's bed 1.
- Bed-sharing is especially dangerous in certain circumstances, such as when one or both parents are smokers, when the infant is younger than 4 months of age, or when the infant is born preterm and/or with low birth weight 1.
- Soft objects and loose bedding can obstruct an infant's airway and increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation, and rebreathing 1.
- Infants should sleep on a firm surface, and pillows, quilts, and comforters should never be used in the infant's sleeping environment 1.
Overall, the safest place for an infant to sleep is on a separate sleep surface designed for infants, close to the parent's bed, and room-sharing without bed-sharing is the recommended arrangement for reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths 1.
From the Research
Co-Sleeping with Parents
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months, but in their own sleeping space, such as a crib or bassinet 2, 3.
- Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, with parents can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related hazards, such as overlying, wedging, and strangulation 2, 4.
- However, some studies suggest that room-sharing, where the infant sleeps in the same room as the parents but in a separate bed, can reduce the risk of SIDS 5, 3.
Age and Co-Sleeping
- There is no specific age recommended for co-sleeping with parents, but it is generally advised that infants under 12 months should not bed-share with parents due to the increased risk of SIDS and other sleep-related hazards 6, 4.
- The risk of SIDS and other sleep-related hazards decreases as the infant gets older, but it is still important for parents to follow safe sleep practices, such as placing the infant on their back to sleep and ensuring a safe sleep environment 2, 3.
Safe Sleep Practices
- Parents should follow safe sleep practices, such as:
- Placing the infant on their back to sleep
- Using a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet
- Keeping the sleep environment safe, such as ensuring the crib is free from soft objects and loose bedding
- Avoiding bed-sharing with infants under 12 months
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol use around the infant 2, 6, 4, 3.