This common parenting practice can have deadly consequences

About 3,400 infants under 1 year of age die annually from sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2020, 27 percent of SUID cases involved accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed from sharing a sleep space.

“To help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, parents and caregivers should never share a sleep space with a baby, whether that is a bed, couch, chair or other surface,” explains Dr. April Jones, a neonatologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents share a room with their baby for the first six months, but the baby should sleep on their back in a bassinet, crib or portable play yard that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards.

The AAP offers the following guidance to help parents avoid accidental bedsharing:

• Create a safe sleep plan. Determine where you will feed your child, activities you can do to stay awake during feedings and who can provide you support and relief. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family outside of your home.
• If you bring your baby into your bed for feeding, be sure to place them back in their designated sleep space when you are finished.
• Remember, unsafe sleep does not solely occur in beds. It can happen on couches, armchairs or cushions — among other spaces.

“As a parent of two, I understand the challenges of the newborn phase all too well. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted,” says Dr. Jones. “The most important thing is to prioritize your baby’s safety from day one, starting with proper sleep practices for both overnight and naps. Remember, it’s perfectly OK to ask for help or to place your fed and clean baby in a safe space while you take a moment to breathe and recharge.”

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