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Benefits

Sleeping with babies is an old and treasured practice within many cultures.  The benefits include:

• more breastfeeding

• more loving contacts

• more infant movement

• less crying

• longer sleep

Risks

Some things make bed sharing unsafe, especially for young babies (under 6 months).  The main things are:

Smoking (in pregnancy and after)

Where there is both smoking and bed sharing, babies have a much higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or Cot Death).

Suffocation

The risk of suffocation from rolling onto babies is greater:

• after taking drugs

• after heavy drinking

• if the adult is very obese

• iif the adult sleeps heavily

• when sleeping on a couch

Choices

Safe Bed Sharing ...

Unsafe Bed Sharing ...

• When adults are less aware.  Smoking, drugs and alcohol can make adults less aware and risk rolling onto babies.

• Unsafe places.  Babies can roll to face-down on soft surfaces, bean bags or waterbeds.  They can get wedged against things or into gaps on couches or chairs.

• Unsafe bedding.  Loose bedding can bunch up or cover the face and babies may slip down under blankets and duvets.

• Less safe positions for baby.  On the front or side.