To share the bed with the baby or not? It is a current topic, generating opinions for and against. There are supporters of this practice, but also people who oppose it, either on principle or because there are studies that say that sharing a bed with the youngest can endanger the child's life. What is the truth?
Discover in this article the difference between room-sharing and bed-sharing, why it can be risky to let your baby sleep in your bed, and other useful information for your child's safety.
Room-sharing or bed-sharing?
What is room sharing and bed sharing? You probably already figured it out.
Room sharing refers to setting up a space in which to place the cot for the baby or attaching it to your parents' bed.
While bed-sharing is sleeping with the infant, which has raised concerns because sharing a bed with an infant increases the risk of sleep-related death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Why do some parents share a bed with their baby?
Among the reasons why some parents share the bed with the infant are the following, some of which are supported by certain studies.
Here are the most common reasons:
- It encourages breastfeeding as it is much easier to nurse him more often when he is close. This can increase the number of months a mother breastfeeds her baby.
- It seems to help babies fall asleep more easily and mothers longer at night.
- Mothers can spend more time with their children.
But are all these reasons more important than the risks babies are exposed to when they sleep in bed with their parents? No, of course.
Let's dig deeper into this aspect…
In some cultures, bed-sharing is common, and the number of infant deaths related to this custom is low. Differences in mattresses, bedding and other cultural practices may explain the lower risk of unfortunate incidents.
But health experts are warning parents not to put their children to sleep in their own beds because of serious safety risks. Bed sharing increases the chances of suffocation, strangulation and SMIS.
Why is it risky for a baby to sleep in the bed with the parents?
- Suffocation can occur from a soft mattress, memory foam, waterbed, or bedding that may be too soft;
- Can be caught between pillows;
Therefore, babies should sleep on their backs on a firm mattress or other sleeping surface (such as in a portable crib), without pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, or other objects.
Because of the risks involved, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sound the alarm against bed sharing.
The AAP recommends room-sharing, no bed-sharing. Sleeping in the parents' room, but on a separate surface, lowers the baby's risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Bed-Sharing and SIDS
Bed sharing increases the risk of a baby dying from SIDS , especially in babies born prematurely, babies who had a low birth weight, and healthy full-term babies under 4 months of age.
What other things increase this risk of death while the baby is sleeping?
- When sleeping on a couch alone or with a parent;
- When mom smokes;
- When parents are very tired;
- When a parent has recently consumed alcohol;
- When the bed is shared with other children.
What can you do to prevent the risk of SIDS?
He shares the room with the little one, but not the bed. Place a bed in an area of your bedroom so that you have it close at night.
Experts recommend not sharing a bed with your baby until he is one year old. They also recommend that he be moved out of his parents' bedroom after he is 6 months old.
So, should you share the bed with the infant during sleep? Why risk it? Do you have doubts about this topic? Seek the advice of a specialist, because in the end he is the only one in a position to confirm or not.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and we are not responsible for what may be interpreted by parents who read it.
Don't forget to seek professional advice when making decisions about your child's health and life.
