Back to Sleep
Back to Sleep is an initiative backed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health to encourage parents to have their infants sleep on their backs (supine position) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. Since “Back to Sleep” was launched in 1994, the incidence of SIDS has declined by more than 52%.
Sleeping with your baby
The idea of having your baby sleep beside you in your bed (called “co-sleeping”) may be warm and comforting. But is it safe?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warn that infants should not co-sleep with their parents.
Risk of suffocating
During co-sleeping, a baby can be hurt by:
Getting trapped by the bed frame, headboard or footboard
Getting trapped between the bed and the wall, furniture or other object
Falling from the bed onto piles of clothing, plastic bags or other soft materials
Suffocating on a waterbed, mattress or soft bedding (pillows, blankets, quilts, etc.)
Having a parent (especially a parent who has used alcohol or drugs) roll on top of the baby
Co-sleeping and SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome
SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old. About half of SIDS deaths occur when the baby is sharing a bed, sofa or sofa chair with another person.
Other potential problems
Co-sleeping may keep parents from getting a good night’s sleep. A baby who co-sleeps may have trouble falling asleep