Bed-sharing means a baby sleeping in the same bed as a parent or another person. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend it because it raises the risk of sudden infant death and accidental suffocation; it advises room-sharing instead.
Key takeaways
- Sleeping with a baby on a sofa or armchair is especially dangerous.
- Risk is higher if the baby is under 4 months, was born early or with low birth weight.
- Smoking, alcohol, drugs or sedating medicines in the adult raise the risk sharply.
What you can do
- Put your baby back in their own cot, bassinet or crib after feeds.
- If you might fall asleep while feeding, do it in your bed rather than on a sofa, with pillows and covers away from the baby, and move your baby back to their own sleep space as soon as you wake.
Frequently asked questions
No. Positioners and in-bed sleepers have not been shown to reduce risk.