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What Experts Say

Breast or bottle? Pacifier or no? Circumcise or au naturel? New parents have some tough decisions to make, and whether or not to co-sleep with your baby is yet another. To help you decide, we've polled the experts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a clear stand on co-sleeping: They believe that a crib is the safest place for a baby to sleep and advise against bed-sharing, especially during a child's first six months.

That said, many sleep experts and pediatricians take a much more lenient stance. Michel Cohen, M.D., author of "The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent," acknowledges that some research has shown that co-sleeping can increase a baby's risk of suffocation. But...

Breast or bottle? Pacifier or no? Circumcise or au naturel? New parents have some tough decisions to make, and whether or not to co-sleep with your baby is yet another. To help you decide, we've polled the experts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a clear stand on co-sleeping: They believe that a crib is the safest place for a baby to sleep and advise against bed-sharing, especially during a child's first six months.

That said, many sleep experts and pediatricians take a much more lenient stance. Michel Cohen, M.D., author of "The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent," acknowledges that some research has shown that co-sleeping can increase a baby's risk of suffocation. But as a father who co-slept with his children, Cohen finds it hard to imagine that something as instinctive as sleeping together could lead to tragedy.

He's also quick to point out that sharing a bed with your baby makes it easier to roll over on your side and nurse, as opposed to getting in and out of bed all night to retrieve your infant from his crib. The result? Co-sleeping moms tend to get more rest.

Celebrated pediatrician (and author of more than 30 books on child-rearing) William Sears, M.D., goes even further. He is an ardent supporter of bed-sharing and has said on AskDrSears.com that "Each year more and more studies are confirming what savvy parents have long suspected: Sharing sleep is not only safe, but also healthy for their babies."

Co-Sleeping Safety

If you decide to share a bed, it's a must that you follow these precautions:

• Never, ever bring your baby into your bed if you've been drinking alcohol or used any drugs (including medications that can make you drowsy), or if you've got a very soft bed or waterbed. In addition, experts warn against bed-sharing with an infant if you or your spouse is obese.
• Make sure your mattress fits snugly against the headboard (a baby's head can get trapped in any gaps). Avoid soft bedding -- including comforters or thick blankets -- and consider going without a pillow. (Or at least make sure the pillows stay far from your baby's face.)
• Don't put a baby in your bed with other children, especially toddlers. Children are heavy sleepers and won't realize they've rolled onto a younger sibling.
• Always put your baby to bed on his back and be especially careful not to overdress him. (Remember, you and your spouse emit a lot of body heat and your little one is more apt to get too warm during the night.)
• As an alternative to the family bed, try using a bassinet next to your bed or a co-sleeper that actually attaches to the side of your mattress. This way, you get the closeness of co-sleeping but your infant is safely in his own space.

A Final Note About Co-Sleeping

Be prepared for a fight when you decide you want your baby or toddler out of your bed and he doesn't want to go. You can either go cold turkey (and expect a lot of tears for a few nights), or make the transition gradually. Start by having him nap alone in his crib. Once he's mastered this, try having him sleep in a portable crib in your room. After a few nights, move him into his crib in his own room.

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