Bed sharing / Judy A. Beal

Bed sharing refers to a specific type of co-sleeping when the infant is sleeping on the same surface with another person and remains a significant risk factor for sleep-related deaths according to a study of 8,207 sleep-related deaths in infants 0 to 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) specifically recommends sharing the room but not the bed. Room sharing can decrease risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by as much as 50% and is safer than bed sharing or solitary sleeping in a separate room. The AAP recommends supine positioning (back to sleep) for every sleep; a firm sleep surface; room sharing without bed sharing; keeping soft objects, loose bedding, and bumpers out of cribs; breastfeeding, routine immunizations; use of a pacified at sleep times; and avoidance of soft bedding, overheating, and exposure to tobacco smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Here, Beals discusses the sleep-related deaths and the risks of bed sharing.

Nursing