Read on for everything you need to know about co-sleeping safely with your baby.
Co-sleeping: the basics
The safest place for your baby to sleep in their first six months is in a separate Moses basket or cot in the same room as you.
But at some point in the first few months after having a baby, around half of all parents in the UK co-sleep or bed share with their newborn (Blair and Ball, 2004).
It’s worth knowing the do's and don'ts when it comes to co-sleeping - whether it's something you end up doing with your baby or choose to do.
Is co-sleeping safe?
Although Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is rare, there are some situations when co-sleeping with your baby is not recommended because it's unsafe. These include:
- Falling asleep on a sofa or chair with your baby, which can increase the risk of SIDS substantially.
- If you or your partner smokes (even if this is not in bedroom).
- If you or your partner have been drinking or taking drugs (including medication that might make you drowsy).
- Your baby was born premature or had a low birthweight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb).
- You feel excessively tired.
- Your baby has a fever or any signs of illness.
(NICE, 2015; Lullaby Trust 2018a)
Co-sleeping more safely: positions and tips
If you do co-sleep with your baby, here are the recommendations for safe sleep:
- Make sure your baby can’t fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall.
- Keep pillows, sheets and blankets away from your baby to avoid them over-heating or covering their face and obstructing their breathing. You could use baby sleeping bags instead. Use different togs for different seasons to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature all year round.
- Avoid letting pets or other children into the bed at the same time.
- Always put your baby to sleep on their back.
(Ball, 2006; Blair et al, 2009; Blair et al, 2014; Ball and Blair, 2017; Lullaby Trust, 2018a; Lullaby Trust, 2018b)
Follow the same rules if your baby’s sleeping next to you in a bedside cot or side sleeper too.
Co-sleeping and breastfeeding
Lots of women worry that they’re going to drift off while they’re feeding their baby at night. Meaning they end up co-sleeping when they don’t mean to. If you’re concerned, try one of these ideas for breastfeeding at night:
- Get your partner to stay up with you for support, especially in the early weeks when you might be at your most tired.
- Avoid the sofa if you feel like you’re going to fall asleep.
- Try reading one of those books that's been on your list forever.
Don’t feel like you can’t breastfeed because breastfeeding actually reduces the risk of SIDS. (Lullaby Trust, 2018b)
This page was last reviewed in February 2018.
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0808 588 1662.
You might find attending one of our NCT New Baby courses helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Find all the latest research-based evidence about infant sleep, including co-sleeping, on the Baby Sleep Information Source (BASIS) website.
The Lullaby Trust has a really informative website, with useful videos, and support for parents about safe sleep, including their Safer Sleep for Babies guide for parents.
See Unicef’s guide for caring for your baby at night (updated in 2017) here.
See Unicef’s guide to co-sleeping and SIDS here.
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Ball H, Blair P. (2017) Health professionals’ guide to caring for your baby at night. Unicef Baby Friendly UK. Available from: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/11/Caring-for-your-Baby-at-Night-A-Health-Professionals-Guide.pdf [Accessed 1st February 2018]
Blackwell C. (2004) Infection, inflammation and SIDS. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 42(1):1-2. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article-pdf/42/1/1/19167331/42-1-1.pdf [Accessed 1st February 2018
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