Safe Cosleeping Guidelines Summary

Overview of Safe Infant Sleep

  • Safe infant sleep starts with a healthy pregnancy; avoiding maternal smoke exposure is critical.

  • Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infant death, including SIDS/SUDI, congenital issues, and secondary diseases.

  • An informed parent (mother or father) is essential for post-natal safe sleep practices.

Safe Sleep Recommendations

  • Regardless of the sleeping arrangement (co-sleeping, bassinet, crib), all infants should:

    • Sleep on their backs.

    • Use firm, clean surfaces for sleep.

    • Be in smoke-free environments.

    • Have light, comfortable bedding with no head covering.

    • Avoid soft bedding like stuffed animals, pillows, sheepskins, beanbag mattresses, or waterbeds.

    • Not sleep on sofas or couches to prevent suffocation risks.

Guidelines for Bedsharing

  • Adult beds are not designed for infant safety; co-sleeping should be approached cautiously.

  • If bedsharing:

    • Bottle-feeding infants should sleep on a separate surface next to the mother.

    • Both parents must agree and feel comfortable about bedsharing; they should be aware of the infant’s presence.

    • Consideration should be given to the responsibility for the infant in the bed.

  • Infants under 1 year should not co-sleep with older siblings.

Parent Conduct and Conditions

  • Adults under the influence of sedatives, medications, or intoxicated individuals should refrain from co-sleeping with the infant.

  • Parents should manage long hair to avoid infant entanglement.

  • Consider potential scenarios where the infant may die from SIDS, and reflect on whether bedsharing could contribute to those fears.

Commitment to Infant Supervision

  • Infants should always sleep under the supervision of a committed adult, whether in separate-surface co-sleeping or other arrangements.

  • Parents should explore all sleeping options and make informed decisions tailored to their situation.


Overview of Safe Infant Sleep

  • Safe infant sleep starts with a holistic approach, beginning with a healthy pregnancy. Maternal health plays an essential role, and avoiding smoking during pregnancy can significantly decrease risks associated with infant mortality.

  • Breastfeeding is crucial for reducing the risk of infant death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI), congenital conditions, and other associated secondary illnesses. Breast milk provides vital nutrients and antibodies that strengthen the infant’s immune system.

  • Parental education is paramount; both mothers and fathers must be informed and proactive about safe sleep practices postnatally. Understanding the significance of risk factors and proper sleeping arrangements can empower parents to safeguard their infant's health.

Safe Sleep Recommendations

  • Regardless of the chosen sleeping arrangement—whether co-sleeping, using a bassinet, or placing the infant in a crib—there are established safe sleep practices that should be observed:

    • Infants should always sleep on their backs, as this position minimizes the risk of airway obstruction and SIDS.

    • Use firm, flat surfaces for infant sleep. Cribs, bassinets, and play yards with a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet are recommended.

    • Sleep environments should be smoke-free, as exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.

    • Infants should be dressed in light, comfortable clothing without the use of head coverings to maintain an adequate temperature.

    • Avoid any soft bedding items such as stuffed animals, pillows, sheepskins, beanbag mattresses, or waterbeds, as these pose suffocation risks.

    • Infants should never sleep on sofas or couches, which significantly increases the risk of accidental suffocation and entrapment.

Guidelines for Bedsharing

  • When it comes to bedsharing, caution is key. Adult beds are typically not constructed with infant safety in mind:

    • Bottle-feeding infants should ideally sleep on a separate surface, such as a crib or bassinet, placed close to the mother to facilitate feeding while ensuring a safe sleep environment.

    • Both parents should mutually agree to bedsharing arrangements. They must be aware and responsive to the infant’s presence to prevent any accidental movements that could harm the child.

    • Ensure that both parents understand their responsibilities in maintaining the infant’s safety during bedsharing, including wakefulness and attentiveness to the baby's needs.

  • It is strongly advised that infants under the age of 1 year do not bedshare with older siblings, as the risk of accidental suffocation increases in such scenarios.

Parent Conduct and Conditions

  • Parents should be cautious about co-sleeping, especially if one adult is under the influence of sedatives, medications, or any substances that impede wakefulness, as this can compromise the safety of the infant.

  • Long hair should be tied back to avoid the risk of entangling the infant. Parents must assess their own behaviors and potential risks that could inadvertently harm the child.

  • Consider scenarios where the risk of SIDS may be heightened, reflecting on how any co-sleeping arrangements might contribute to parental anxiety or safety concerns.

Commitment to Infant Supervision

  • The infant should always sleep under the watchful supervision of a committed adult—this applies to both separate-surface co-sleeping and any other sleeping arrangements.

  • Parents are encouraged to explore and evaluate all sleeping options, understanding that informed and considerate decisions can significantly influence the safety and health of their infants.