Newborn babies up to 1 or 2 years old can sleep in the same room as their parents because it helps to increase the affective bond with the baby, facilitates night feedings, reassures parents when they are concerned about sleep or with baby's breath and, according to experts, still decreases the risk of sudden death.
Sudden death can happen until the baby turns 1 year old and the most accepted theory for its explanation is that the baby has some respiratory alteration during sleep and that he cannot wake up and therefore ends up dying in his sleep. With the baby sleeping in the same room, it is easier for a parent to realize that the baby is not breathing well, and can wake him up, providing any necessary help.
Risks of baby sleeping in parent's bed
The risk of the baby sleeping in the parents' bed is greater when the baby is about 4 to 6 months old and the parents have habits that can cause the baby to suffocate or crush, such as excessive alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills or smoking.
Furthermore, the risks of the baby sleeping in the parents' bed are related to safety issues, such as the fact that the baby may fall out of the bed, as there are no protective rails, and the baby does not breathe in the middle of pillows, blankets or linen. There is also a risk that one parent will turn on the baby while sleeping without realizing it.
Thus, to avoid the risks, the recommendation is that babies up to 6 months sleep in a crib placed near the parents' bed, as this way there is no risk for the baby and the parents are more relaxed.
5 good reasons for baby to sleep in parent's room
Therefore, it is recommended that the baby sleep in the same room as the parents because:
- Facilitates night feedings, being a good help for the new mother; It is easier to calm the baby with tranquilizing sounds or simply with its presence; There is a lower risk of sudden death, since it is possible to act faster if you observe that the baby not breathing well; increases the affective bond that the child grows safer, feeling loved for being closer to the parents, at least at night; helps to better understand the baby's sleeping habits.
The baby can sleep in the same room as the parents, but it is not recommended that he sleep in the same bed as this can be very dangerous putting the baby's health at risk. So the ideal is for the baby's crib to be placed next to the parents' bed so that parents can better observe the baby while they are lying down.
