The answer is, it is entirely a personal choice. There are a few facts you should be aware of. Accidental deaths have occurred due to adults smothering their sleeping babies. Another concern is, while during sleeping, babies can turn face down and suffocate, lastly, babies can be trapped between the mattress and the head board, all preventable.
These accidents are estimated at approximately 60 deaths per year in 2001. For the same year there were an estimated 2600 deaths from SIDS !!! So is it safe for babies to sleep with their parents?
How To Sleep Safe With Parents
- Use a large bed, either a queen or king-size.
- Place baby to sleep on its back.
- Place baby adjacent to mom, rather than between mom and dad.
- Provide adequate protection to prevent baby from falling out of the bed.
- Another option is to use a baby moses basket. still within touching and hearing distance, but not in the same bed.
- Be careful not to overheat or over bundle your baby. If baby is sleeping with a parent, other warm bodies are an added heat source.
- Don't wear lingerie with string ties longer than eight inches, or dangling jewelry. Your baby may get caught up in these.
- Avoid deodorants, and perfumes. These smells may irritate and clog your baby's nasal passages.
- Use a infant pacifier.
It is safe for babies to sleep with there parents "If", you use some common sense. Anything that might change your normal sleeping routine, weather it be exhaustion, sickness, alcohol, or anything else, these factors could effect the safety of your baby. Use good judgment. If you're not up to it, use your your crib.
