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Co-Sleeping Safety

How safe is this practice?

Co-Sleeping (Home) Why We Share Sleep Advantages Of Co-Sleeping (Part 1) Advantages Of Co-Sleeping (Part 2) Disadvantages Of Co-Sleeping Moving From The Family Bed

The practice of co-sleeping is not dangerous if necessary precautions are taken.

Below are some safety tips on bed sharing with kids (babies in particular).

1. If you sleep with your baby, it is important to be aware that adult beds were not designed to assure infant safety.

2. Babies under a year old should not sleep next to other siblings.

3. A child should not sleep with a parent who smokes, is on illegal drugs, or is extremely obese.

4. Let the younger child sleep next to the wall so that he won't accidentally fall from the bed. If this is not possible, let him sleep in the middle of the bed, or put on a bed rail.

General Safe Sleep Recommendations:

1. Babies should sleep on firm, clean surfaces, in the absence of smoke, under comfortable blanketing. Their heads should never be covered.

2. The mattress should fit tightly against the headboard so that the baby cannot fall into a ledge face down and smother.

3. The bed should not have any stuffed animals or pillows around the baby which can suffocate him.

4. The baby should not be covered with any heavy blankets, sheets or other materials. A good test is to consider whether you are comfortable; if you are, then the baby probably is as well.

5. Should never place a baby to sleep on top of a pillow, a waterbed, couch or bean bag mattress.

6. Install a bed rail or move the bed flush against the wall to prevent the baby from rolling out of bed.

7. Place plenty of cushions on the floor at the foot of the bed.

8. Check on your baby frequently.

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