Babies often wake up in the middle of the night – it’s what they do. Keeping your newborn in your bed so you are close by when the baby wakes may seem easier. However, sharing a bed with your infant increases his or her risk of injury and suffocation. Here are three reasons why bed-sharing is not worth the risk:
#1
Loose blankets and sheets put your infant at a higher risk of suffocation. As a baby squirms and wiggles during sleep, a blanket or sheet could move and cover his or her nose, impairing breathing.
#2
Your baby could fall off your bed. Cribs include barriers to keep your baby from rolling off during the night, but your bed doesn’t have the same safeguards. The few feet from your mattress to the floor are dangerous for an infant, or he or she could become trapped between the mattress and headboard, footboard or wall.
#3
You could roll on top of your baby. Just like your baby squirms during sleep, you do the same, and you likely won’t notice if you roll on top of your baby. Across the U.S., there have been many reports of infant deaths related to these circumstances.
To reduce your infant’s risk of injury or death, it’s best to allow your baby to sleep alone, on their back, in a crib or other safe sleep surface. To learn more about how to ensure your baby sleeps safely, check out this blog post or visit https://new.bootheelbabies.org/safe-sleep/
Disclaimer: If your baby has a fever or other symptoms, or you have concerns about the growth and development of your child, always seek care with your healthcare provider.