Sleeping with your baby
bed; sleep; share; SIDS; sudden; death; co-sleeping; sharing; baby; mother ;
Contents
Sharing a sleep surface (such as the parents' bed) with a baby has lead to the death of some babies.
It is recommended that babies sleep in a cot next to their parents' bed for the first 6 to 12 months of life, as this has been shown to lower the risk of SIDS.
There appears to be no increased risk of SIDS or fatal sleep accidents when a baby shares a sleep surface during feeding, cuddling and playing providing the baby is returned to a cot or a safe sleeping surface before the parent goes to sleep.
Much of the following information comes from a SIDS and Kids Information Statement (September 2007) 'Sleeping with a baby'.
Reducing the risks of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents
- Sleep baby on the back from birth and not on the tummy or side.
- Sleep baby with the face uncovered.
- Avoid exposing babies to cigarette smoke before birth and after.
- Sleep your baby in its own safe sleeping environment in the same room as the parents for the first 6 to 12 months of life.
Several studies have shown that babies who sleep close to their mothers tend to be more likely to successfully begin breastfeeding and they tend to breastfeed for longer. However sharing a bed is not necessary for successful breastfeeding.
Some research has shown that having a baby sleep in a cot attached to the mother's bed enhances the beginning of breastfeeding, while being very safe for babies.
Increased risk of SIDS or sleep accidents
Babies who are most at risk of SIDS or sleeping accidents while sharing a sleep surface are babies who are less than 4 months old and babies who are born early (premature) or small for their age (small for gestational age).
There is a very high risk of infant death and sleeping accidents when a baby shares a sofa or couch with an adult during sleep.
When is sharing a sleep surface not safe?
- Where the baby shares a sleep surface with a smoker
- Where there is adult bedding, quilts, doonas or pillows that may cover the baby
- Where the baby can be trapped between the wall and the bed, can fall out of bed, or could be rolled on
- Where the parent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs that cause sedation, or is overly tired
- Where babies are sharing beds with other children or pets
- Where the baby is placed to sleep on a sofa, beanbag, waterbed or sagging mattress.
Babies must never be left alone on an adult bed or put to sleep on a sofa.
If you still choose to share a sleep surface with your baby
- Put your baby to sleep on the back
- Make sure the mattress is firm
- Make sure the bedding cannot cover the baby's face. Use only lightweight blankets. Keep pillows, quilts, doonas and other soft items well away from your baby and make sure there is nothing soft underneath the baby (eg lamb's wool)
- Place your baby at the side of one parent - not between two parents, as this would increase the chance of the baby being covered or slipping under adult bedding.
- Make sure that your baby is not close to the edge of the bed where your baby can fall off. Do not place pillows at the side of the bed to prevent rolling off. It is safer to put the adult mattress on the floor.
- Pushing the bed up against the wall can be risky. Babies have died after becoming trapped between the bed and the wall.
- As an alternative to blankets or quilts, a baby sleeping bag may be used so that the baby does not need to be covered by adult bedding. A safe infant sleeping bag is one with a fitted neck and armholes. Make sure that your baby has enough clothes on under the sleeping bag so that you do not need to use any other bedding (no sheets or blankets).
Sharing a bed for cuddles and play, but putting babies into their own bed for sleep is the safest option.
- If you want to keep your baby near you but not actually in your bed, you can put the bassinet or cot right next to the bed, so that you can touch your baby without getting up.
- There are some cots that can be attached to the side of the parent's bed. These allow easy access to your baby. When your baby gets old enough to crawl he or she would be able to climb into your bed which is not as safe as having your baby in a separate bed. The cots may be able to be changed into normal cots (with 4 raised sides) when your baby is old enough to be mobile.
- Some parents prefer to have their baby sleep in a room that is separate from the parents' room. Some babies can be noisy during sleep, and some parents find it hard to sleep well themselves if there is a baby sleeping in the room. This is a little less safe than having your baby sleep in your room, but the increase in risk is small.
- If your baby is going to sleep in a bassinet or cot, see the topic 'Safe sleep'.
Resources
South Australia
- Face-to-face support via Child and Family Health Centres.
Ring 1300 733 606 (9am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday) for information and an appointment.
- The Parent Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. 1300 364 100.
- Child and Youth Health has published a book called 'Settling your Baby: a Survival Guide for Parents (birth to 12 months)', which can be purchased. See 'Publications'.
There is a very extensive reference list in the SIDS and Kids Information Statement 'Sleeping with a baby'.
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.