What Are the Dangers of Sleeping With an Infant?
Research A study conducted over three years found that an average of 60 infant deaths per year occurred in adult beds. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are using this study to discourage parents from sleeping with their babies. Later studies argue that sleeping with your baby is much safer than having your baby sleep apart from you, since you are able to respond immediately to his needs. SIDS A great deal of research has been carried out on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which occurs during sleep. About 2,600 babies die each year from SIDS, down from 4,250 due to parents learning to put their babies to sleep on their backs. Research reported in the Sept./Oct. 2002 issue of Mothering Magazine contends that sleep-related deaths are twice as high in infants who sleep in cribs than in those who sleep with parents. Bed Dangers According to Dr. Sears from the TV Show “The Doctors,” sleeping with an infant can be dangerous i