Is Co-Sleeping Dangerous?
Or Is My Toddler Just Trying to Kick Me in the Face?
Ah, co-sleeping. The age-old tradition of sharing a bed with your baby, and possibly a few stray Goldfish crackers, a sippy cup, and a plush elephant named Mr. Snuggles. It’s cozy. It’s warm. It’s sweet.
It can also a battlefield between what’s idealistic and what’s realistic.
Some parents swear by it. Others swear because of it. And somewhere in between lies a very tired mom Googling “Is co-sleeping dangerous?” at 2 a.m. with a foot in her ear.
So, let’s talk about it—seriously, but with a side of humor (because you’re probably too sleep-deprived for anything else).
Some parents swear by it, Others swear because of it.
And somewhere in between lies a very tired mom Googling “Is co-sleeping dangerous?” at 2 a.m. with a foot in her ear make all the difference.
The Official Word: What the Experts Say
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), co-sleeping (specifically, bed-sharing) is not recommended—especially for babies under 1 year old.
Their 2022 policy statement (yes, they update it, because apparently babies are always innovating new ways to terrify us) states:
“The AAP does not recommend bed-sharing with infants under any circumstances. This includes twins, premature babies, and babies who give off strong ‘I’m definitely going to sleep through the night’ energy.”
Okay, we added that last part. But here’s why they’re serious about it:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Bed-sharing increases the risk, particularly in the first 6 months.
Accidental suffocation: Parents, pets, or even fluffy bedding can become hazards.
Overheating: Babies are like little burritos of warmth already. Add a comforter, and now you’ve got a baked potato.
The AAP recommends babies sleep:
On their backs
In their own crib, bassinet, or portable play yard
In the same room as parents (room-sharing), ideally for at least the first 6 months
So—same room, different bed. Like roommates in college. Except one of you cries every two hours and the other has milk leaking from their shirt.
But Wait, Everyone I Know Co-Slept…
That’s true. In fact, worldwide, co-sleeping is totally common. In many cultures, it’s the norm. You might even hear, “I co-slept with all five of my kids and they turned out fine!” And that may very well be true.
The difference? Context matters. Some cultures have co-sleeping systems designed with infant safety in mind—firm sleeping surfaces, no soft bedding, and less risk of impaired caregivers (aka no one rolling in after wine night).
In contrast, in the U.S. and other Western countries, beds tend to be softer, pillows fluffier, and mattresses designed more for snuggling than survival.
But My Baby Only Sleeps Next to Me. HELP.
You're not alone. Plenty of babies seem to have an internal radar that activates the second you try to put them in a bassinet. It’s like they were trained by NASA.
So what can you do?
Try room-sharing instead. Place the crib or bassinet beside your bed. You can soothe, feed, and zombie-shuffle as needed without bed-sharing.
Use a bedside sleeper (if AAP-approved). Some attach safely to your bed but still keep baby on a separate surface.
Practice safe sleep no matter where baby is. That means:
Flat, firm surface
No pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or loose sheets
No smoking around baby
PLEASE AVOID co-sleeping if you’re overly tired (which... is always, but you know what we mean), on medication, or under the influence.
Have a question about co-sleeping ? Would you like to work on breaking it but dont know how ? Contact Dawn by clicking on the button below.
