Half of parents co-sleep with their child, new survey finds

A brand new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medication reveals that almost half of oldsters (46%) generally, usually or all the time co-sleep with their little one below 18. Whereas co-sleeping is widespread, consultants warn it could not all the time be your best option — particularly for infants.

Protected sleep for infants

Making a protected sleep surroundings is important. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention experiences that in 2022, over 1,000 infants died from unintended suffocation and strangulation in mattress.

“Co-sleeping is unsafe for infants, and routinely co-sleeping can doubtlessly detract from the event of wholesome sleep habits in youngsters of any age,” mentioned Dr. Rakesh Bhattacharjee, sleep doctor and AASM spokesperson. “Constantly sleeping in their very own sleep house might assist youngsters foster wholesome sleep patterns.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep in the identical room as mother and father — however on a separate sleep floor designed for infants — for at the very least the primary six months.

Ideas for toddler sleep security

An AASM well being advisory supplies the following tips to make sure a protected sleep surroundings for infants:

At all times place infants on their backs to sleep.
Use a agency, flat floor with a fitted sheet, reminiscent of a crib, bassinet or playpen that meets U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee requirements.
Hold tender objects like further sheets, blankets, crib bumpers, stuffed animals and toys out of the toddler’s sleep space.
Preserve a quiet sleep surroundings with no loud or steady noise.

Is co-sleeping proper for your loved ones?

Often co-sleeping with a scared or sick little one is comprehensible, however recurrently sharing a mattress can impression long-term sleep habits. Mother and father ought to contemplate whether or not co-sleeping is supporting their little one’s capability to develop unbiased and wholesome sleep routines.

“As mother and father, we needs to be serving to our youngsters develop habits and be taught routines that set up good sleep hygiene that may allow them to get pleasure from the advantages of wholesome sleep for a lifetime,” mentioned Dr. Bhattacharjee.

When you’ve got considerations about your little one’s sleep, go to the AASM’s sleep middle listing to get assist from the sleep crew at an accredited sleep middle.

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