Is Co-Sleeping Safe?
Bed-Sharing
Bed-sharing, where parents and infants sleep in the same bed, is a practice that has been both praised for its bonding benefits and criticized for its potential risks. While some parents find bed-sharing to be a convenient and comforting way to sleep close to their baby, or sometimes simply the fastest way to get their baby to go to sleep, evidence-based research highlights significant risks associated with this practice.
Increased Risk of SIDS
One of the most concerning risks of bed-sharing is the increased likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Bed-sharing increases a baby’s risk of sleep-related death by 10x. This risk is even higher for infants younger than three months and for those whose parents smoke, consume alcohol, or use drugs. Also, bed-sharing causes 50% of all Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) cases. SUID includes SIDS, suffocation, strangulation, and unknown factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises against bed-sharing.
Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation
Bed-sharing also raises the risk of accidental suffocation and strangulation. Infants can become trapped between the mattress and the wall, headboard, or other furniture, or they can be accidentally smothered by a parent’s body or bedding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 3,500 sleep-related deaths occur each year in the United States, with many of these deaths linked to unsafe sleep environments, including bed-sharing.
Also, when babies sleep on a mattress that is not designed for infants, the risk of rebreathing is greater. Rebreathing occurs when a baby inhales her own expired breath, causing a build-up of carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels. This can lead to suffocation. Rebreathing can occur when an infant sleeps in an adult bed, even if nothing is covering the baby’s face, but simply because the baby’s face is too close to a surface that is not breathable and safety-approved for infants.
Impact on Sleep Quality
Research indicates that bed-sharing can negatively impact the sleep quality of both the infant and the parents. A study from the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found that bed-sharing infants tend to have more fragmented sleep and shorter sleep durations compared to those who sleep independently. Parents who bed-share may also experience more sleep disturbances, which can affect their overall health and well-being.
Long-Term Sleep Problems
Bed-sharing can lead to long-term sleep problems for children. According to a review published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, children who bed-share are more likely to develop sleep associations that require parental presence to fall asleep, making it difficult for them to sleep independently as they grow older. This can result in ongoing sleep issues and increased nighttime awakenings.
Cultural and Socioeconomic Factors
It’s important to consider that bed-sharing practices and their associated risks can vary widely across different cultures and socioeconomic groups. In some cultures, bed-sharing is a common and accepted practice with lower reported rates of SIDS. For example, in Japan, where bed-sharing is prevalent, the rates of SIDS are among the lowest globally. However, these differences may be influenced by other factors such as breastfeeding rates, parental awareness, and overall sleep practices.
Safe Sleep Recommendations
To mitigate the risks associated with bed-sharing, the AAP recommends the following safe sleep practices:
Place the baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface.
Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard in the parents’ room for the first six months.
Avoid soft bedding, pillows, and toys in the baby’s sleep area.
Ensure the baby sleeps in a smoke-free environment.
Breastfeed if possible, as breastfeeding can lower the risk of SIDS by 50%.
What to Do?
Parents often wonder how to avoid co-sleeping if their baby refuses to fall asleep independently. Parents who need help teaching their babies to sleep independently should seek help from an online baby sleep course or a baby sleep consultant. If babies have medical conditions hindering them from sleeping through the night, consult your pediatrician.
