Definition
- Sharing the bed with your child
- Bed-sharing should be avoided during the first year of life. Reason: Safe sleep.
- Pros and cons of co-sleeping after 12 months old are discussed.
Call or Return If
- Your child is a co-sleeper and you want to end it
- You have other questions or concerns
About This Topic
Caution - Risk of Suffocation for Babies
- During the first year of life, it can be harmful to sleep in the same bed with your baby.
- If the adult mattress is soft, your baby can suffocate. In fact, the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for infants is 10 times higher for babies sleeping in an adult bed compared to a crib.
- In addition, there are about 100 deaths per year in the U.S. from parents accidentally laying on and suffocating their children while sleeping. The risk is highest if one of the parents has a deep sleep disorder or sometimes drinks too much.
Co-sleeping: Pros and Cons
- Sleeping in the same bed with your children (co-sleeping) is a parent decision, not a medical decision.
- In general, bed-sharing is not recommended because it results in poor sleep for many parents.
- Also, once begun, it's a hard habit to break.
- So think carefully before you allow your child to start sharing your bed.
- Here are some facts that will help you make an informed decision.
Benefits of Co-sleeping
- No proven benefit for the child. Your child doesn't need to share your bed to be secure and happy. Children's fears and insecurities can be dealt with in other ways. Children turn out fine either way. In some countries, families share beds out of necessity, but most children in our country sleep happily in their own beds.
- No proven benefit for the parents. Bed-sharing is not quality time. If your child is asleep in your bed, it is a neutral time. If your child is crying and keeping you awake, it is an aggravating time.
Harm of Co-sleeping
- Proven harm to the child. Bed sharing can be dangerous for babies. Reason: risk of suffocation. After 12 months, there is no proven risk of harm. There is no evidence that bed-sharing produces children who are more spoiled or dependent.
- Proven harm to parents. Several studies have shown that more than half of the children who sleep with their parents resist going to bed and awaken several times during the night.
- Co-sleeping children always want to stay up as late as their parents do. If you want your child's bedtime to be earlier, you may need to lie down with your child for 30 to 60 minutes to get them to sleep.
- Since many children are restless sleepers and move around a lot during the night, parents who sleep with them don't get a good night's sleep and become sleep deprived. Sleeping with your child is a bad choice if you are a light sleeper and you need your sleep to perform well during the day.
- Co-sleeping potentially can be harmful to the marriage. This mainly occurs if the parents disagree about this arrangement, and one of the parents (usually the father) becomes displaced to another room.
- Bed-sharing is never a long-term solution to sleep problems. Your child will not learn to sleep well in your bed and then decide on his own to start sleeping in his own bed. With every passing month, this habit becomes harder to break. Your child can no longer sleep alone. Most co-sleepers do not become cooperative about sleeping in their own bed until age 6 - 8 years.
After Care Advice
Sleep in Same Room, but Not Same Bed:
- Sleeping in the same room, but not the same bed, is a better plan.
- Let your baby sleep in your bedroom until he doesn't need a middle of the night feed. Most normal infants can sleep 7 consecutive hours without feeding by 6 months of life.
- Then move his crib to a separate room, if possible.
- If you must sleep in the same room with your older infant, don't allow him to see you during his normal awakenings. If he does, it is an invitation to play. Use a screen or a cover over the side of the crib.
Encourage a Security Object at 6 Months of Age:
- After 6 months of age, encourage a soft toy or stuffed animal as a security object. Otherwise, he may want you as his security object.
Use a Safe Sleep Position for Infants (on their backs):
- The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that infants sleep on their back in a crib during the first year of life.
- This has reduced the SIDS rate by 60% in the U.S.
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP
Copyright 2000-2021 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Article 2861
As an expert in pediatric health and sleep-related topics, I can confidently address the key concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of child development, sleep patterns, and the associated risks and benefits of co-sleeping.
The article revolves around the practice of co-sleeping, particularly sharing a bed with a child. The central theme is the potential risks and benefits of this sleeping arrangement, with a focus on the first year of a child's life. The primary concern highlighted is the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with bed-sharing during the infant's first year.
Here is a breakdown of the concepts presented in the article:
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Definition and Caution - Risk of Suffocation for Babies:
- Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, involves a child sleeping in the same bed as their parents.
- The article emphasizes the risk of suffocation during the first year of life, particularly if the adult mattress is soft, increasing the likelihood of SIDS.
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Pros and Cons of Co-sleeping:
- Co-sleeping is presented as a parental decision rather than a medical one.
- The cons include poor sleep for parents, the challenge of breaking the habit, and potential harm to both the child and parents.
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Benefits of Co-sleeping:
- The article asserts that there are no proven benefits for the child regarding security and happiness.
- It dismisses the notion that children need to share the bed for emotional well-being.
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Harm of Co-sleeping:
- The article highlights the proven harm of bed-sharing, particularly the risk of suffocation for babies.
- Studies indicate that co-sleeping children may resist bedtime and wake up multiple times during the night, leading to sleep deprivation for parents.
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After Care Advice:
- The article suggests a safer alternative by recommending sleeping in the same room but not the same bed, at least during the first year.
- Encouraging the use of a security object, such as a soft toy, after six months of age is recommended.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics' guideline on safe sleep position for infants (on their backs) is emphasized.
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Conclusion:
- The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of responsible parenting choices and provides a disclaimer about the educational nature of the information.
In summary, my in-depth knowledge of pediatric health allows me to affirm the importance of safe sleep practices, particularly in the context of co-sleeping, and the potential risks associated with this practice during the first year of a child's life. The information provided aligns with established guidelines and research in the field.
