Co-sleeping is when parents and babies sleep together on the same bed. Most parents love the idea of cuddling with their kids, however this may put your baby in danger.  Sharing  a bed with your baby may put  him at risk of sudden infant death syndrome  SIDS and other dangerous situations such as suffocation.

Why do some people co-sleep ?

Some people believe that co-sleeping

• makes night-time breast-feeding convenient
• helps babies sleep more easily especially during the first few months
• increase the bond between babies and mothers
• makes it easier for nursing mothers to get a sleep cycle in sync with their babies

The question however is that do the benefits of co-sleeping outweight the risks ?

It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies do not sleep with anyone.

What risks are  associated with co-sleeping ?

Co-sleeping  increases your baby’s risk of  injuries from the  the  following :

• falling off the bed
• getting stuck in-between the bed frame, headboard or footboard
• getting stuck between the bed and the wall or furniture
• having someone roll onto of him
• being smothered by pillows, blanket or quilt
• facing downwards

Sharing a bed with a baby also increases the risk of SIDS. Some of the factors that may increase the risk include the following :

• a mother who smokes
• very tired parents
• recent use of alcohol and drugs by parents
• baby sleeping in-between parents
• baby sleeping on a couch alone or with a parent
• co-sleeping with pillows and bed covers

Co-sleeping can prevent parents  from having a good night sleep. Babies may also having difficulty sleeping. This can cause nap time and  bedtime problems.

Where is the safest place for your baby to sleep ?

It is best to let your baby sleep in his bassinet or crib placed close to your bed. If you have multiples, put each baby in his or  her own bassinet or crib. It is easy to feed the  baby if he is close by. You can bring baby to your bed to feed and soothe but after that you have to put  him back into his crib.