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Written by: Favour Francis | Reviewed by: Dr Ortega Ogomigo
Introduction
It’s 2 a.m. Your baby has just finished feeding, and you’re exhausted. Instead of putting them back in their cot, you wonder if it’s okay to let them sleep beside you for the rest of the night.
The short answer is that health experts generally don’t recommend sharing the same adult bed with your baby, especially during the first few months of life. While many parents do it, sleeping with your baby on an adult bed can increase certain safety risks.
But does that mean you should never sleep beside your baby? What if you’re breastfeeding, have limited space at home, or accidentally fall asleep during a night feed?
In this article, we’ll explain:
- why bed-sharing can be risky
- when the dangers of bed-sharing are greatest
- what you can do to help your baby sleep as safely as possible
Why Can Sleeping on the Same Bed with My Baby Be Dangerous?
Many parents choose to sleep with their babies because it feels easier, particularly during those exhausting newborn days. If you’ve ever fed your baby at 3 a.m. and thought, ‘Let me just keep them beside me for the rest of the night’, you’re not alone. Many moms in Nigeria have done this a few times.
The concern isn’t that sleeping close to your baby is bad. It’s that adult beds aren’t designed to be safe for babies. Unlike cots and cribs, adult beds have soft mattresses, pillows, duvets, and enough space for babies to get trapped or accidentally covered. These items can become dangerous for babies under six months who cannot easily move away if something blocks their breathing.
Here are some of the biggest risks.
Suffocation
Young babies have very little head and neck control. If their nose or mouth becomes covered, they may not be able to move themselves into a safer position.
This can happen if:
- A pillow or duvet covers their face.
- A parent or sibling accidentally rolls onto them while asleep.
- They sink into a soft mattress or pillow.
Even if you’re a light sleeper, it’s impossible to stay aware of every movement while you’re asleep.
Entrapment
Sometimes, a baby can slip into a small space and become trapped.
For example, they could become stuck:
- Between the mattress and the wall.
- Between the mattress and the bed frame.
- Against the headboard.
Because babies don’t have the strength or coordination to free themselves, these situations can quickly become dangerous.
Falls
As babies grow, they become more active than many parents expect. One day they’re lying still, and before you know it, they’re rolling over.
A baby sleeping on an adult bed can easily roll or wriggle off the edge, especially if they’re left unattended, even for a few minutes.
Overheating
Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults.
Heavy duvets, thick blankets, or sleeping too close to another person can make them too warm. Overheating has been linked to an increased risk of sleep-related problems in babies, which is why experts recommend dressing babies appropriately for the room temperature and keeping their sleep space free of bulky bedding.
It’s Not About Being a “Careful Parent”
Many sleep-related accidents happen to loving, attentive parents who never imagined it could happen to them. You might think, ‘I hardly move when I sleep’, or ‘I’ll wake up if my baby stirs’. But the fatigue that comes with caring for a newborn can make anyone less aware of what’s happening around them.
That’s why health experts recommend placing babies on a firm, flat sleep surface made for infants, such as a cot, crib, or Moses basket beside your bed, rather than on the same mattress as an adult.
When Is Bed-Sharing Especially Unsafe?
There are some situations where sleeping on the same bed with your baby becomes even more dangerous. If any of these apply to you or your baby, it’s safest to place your baby in a separate cot beside your bed instead.
- Your baby is a newborn or a young infant
Newborns and young babies are still developing the strength to move their heads or roll away if something blocks their breathing. This makes them more vulnerable to sleep-related accidents than older babies.
- Your baby was born prematurely
Babies born before their due date are generally more fragile and may have a harder time responding to situations that affect their breathing while they sleep. For them, a separate sleep space is especially important.
- Your baby had a low birth weight
Babies who were born smaller than expected can also be at a higher risk of sleep-related complications. Giving them their own safe sleeping space helps reduce these risks.
- You or your partner smoke
Even if you never smoke in the bedroom or around your baby, smoking can still increase the risk of sleep-related problems. This applies whether it’s the mother, father, or anyone else sharing the bed.
- You’ve had alcohol
After drinking alcohol, you may sleep more deeply than usual and be less aware of your baby’s movements. This makes it easier to accidentally roll onto your baby or miss signs that they’re in an unsafe position.
- You’ve used recreational drugs
Recreational drugs can affect your alertness and make it much harder to respond to your baby’s movements or cries while you’re asleep.
- You’re taking medication that makes you drowsy
Some medicines, including certain allergy medications, painkillers, and sleeping tablets, can make you sleep more deeply. If a medicine leaves you feeling unusually sleepy, it’s safest not to share a bed with your baby.
- You’re extremely tired
Let’s be honest, looking after a newborn can be exhausting. If you think there’s a chance you’ll fall into a deep sleep, it’s safer to put your baby back in their own sleep space after feeding or comforting them.
- You’re sleeping on a sofa or couch
This is one of the most dangerous places to sleep with a baby.
A baby can easily become trapped between the cushions or between your body and the back of the sofa. If you think you might fall asleep while feeding your baby, it’s much safer to move to a bed and place your baby in their cot as soon as possible, rather than staying on a sofa or armchair.
Safe Sleep Tips Every Parent Should Follow
Whether you’re a first-time parent or this isn’t your first baby, these simple tips can help create a safer sleeping environment for your little one.
- Put your baby to sleep on their back
For every nap and every night’s sleep, place your baby on their back, not on their tummy or side. Babies who sleep on their backs have a lower risk of sleep-related problems. Don’t worry if your baby rolls over on their own once they’re old enough to do so. The important thing is to always place them on their back when putting them to sleep.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface
Your baby’s cot, crib, or Moses basket should have a firm, flat mattress that fits properly. Avoid letting your baby sleep on soft mattresses, adult beds, bean bags, or piles of cushions, as these surfaces can increase the risk of suffocation.
- Keep pillows out of your baby’s sleep space
Adults love pillows, but babies don’t need them. Pillows can accidentally cover a baby’s nose or mouth, making it difficult for them to breathe. Your baby’s sleeping area should be as clear as possible.
- Remove toys and soft items before bedtime
Stuffed animals and comfort pillows may look cute in a baby’s cot, but they can become hazards while your baby is asleep. Save them for playtime instead.
- Avoid cot bumper pads
Cot bumpers were once popular, but they’re no longer recommended because they can increase the risk of suffocation or entrapment. An uncluttered cot is the safest option.
- Skip heavy blankets and duvets
If your baby needs extra warmth, dress them in suitable sleepwear instead of covering them with heavy blankets or duvets. If you do use a light blanket, make sure it’s tucked in securely below your baby’s shoulders so it can’t easily cover their face.
- Keep your baby’s environment smoke-free
If you or anyone else in your household smokes, avoid smoking around your baby or inside your home. A smoke-free environment helps reduce your baby’s risk of breathing problems and other sleep-related complications.
- Share a room, not a bed
Keeping your baby’s cot or crib in the same room as you for the first few months makes it easier to feed and check on them during the night, while still giving them a safe space of their own to sleep.
- Dress your baby for the weather
Babies can become too hot more easily than many parents realise. In Nigeria, where nights can be warm for much of the year, your baby often doesn’t need several layers of clothing or thick blankets. Dress them comfortably for the room temperature and avoid covering their head while they sleep.
If you’re not sure whether something belongs in your baby’s sleep space, ask yourself this question: Does my baby really need this to sleep safely?
If the answer is no, it’s usually best to leave it out.
From the Desk of Koyo Doctors
There’s no perfect parent, only parents who are learning every day. As you settle into life with your baby, you’ll make countless decisions, and having the right information can make those decisions a little less overwhelming.
If you have concerns about your baby’s sleep or any aspect of their health, our doctors at Koyo are here to listen, answer your questions, and support you every step of the way.
