Co-Sleeping and Bed-Sharing Safety
How to make safer choices about where your baby sleeps
The Recommendation
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as the parent but on a separate, firm surface for at least the first 6 months. A bassinet or crib next to the bed is the safest option. This arrangement reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50 percent while keeping the baby close for feeding and comfort.
If You Choose to Bed-Share
Many parents end up bed-sharing at some point, whether by choice or out of exhaustion from sleep deprivation. If you choose to bed-share, there are ways to reduce the risks. The baby should be placed on their back on a firm mattress. Loose blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals should be kept away from the baby. The parent should not be under the influence of alcohol, medications that cause drowsiness, or drugs. Bed-sharing is especially dangerous on sofas, armchairs, or waterbeds.
When Bed-Sharing Is Not Safe
What You Can Do
Talk with your partner about your plan for infant sleep before the baby arrives. Decide where the baby will sleep and what you will do if the plan is not working at 2 a.m. Having a plan reduces the chance of making an unsafe decision out of exhaustion. If you are struggling with sleep, consider shifts: one parent stays awake with the baby for a set period while the other sleeps in a separate room.