Newborn babies up to 1 or 2 years of age can sleep in the same room as their parents because this helps to increase the emotional bond with the baby, facilitates night feedings, reassures parents when they are worried about sleep or health. baby’s breathing and, according to experts, it also reduces the risk of sudden death.
Sudden death can occur until the baby turns 1 year old and the most accepted theory for its explanation is that the baby has some respiratory disorder during sleep and is unable to wake up and therefore ends up dying during sleep. With the baby sleeping in the same room, it is easier for one of the parents to notice that the baby is not breathing well, and they can wake him up and provide any necessary help.
Risks of baby sleeping in their parents’ bed
The risks of a baby sleeping in their parents’ bed are greater when the baby is around 4 to 6 months old and the parents have habits that can cause the baby to suffocate or be crushed, such as excessive alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills or smoking.
Furthermore, the risks of a baby sleeping in their parents’ bed are related to safety issues, such as the fact that the baby may fall out of the bed, as there are no guardrails, and the baby may not be able to breathe amid pillows, blankets or linen. There is also the risk of one of the parents turning over the baby during sleep without realizing it.
Therefore, to avoid risks, the recommendation is that babies up to 6 months old sleep in a crib placed close to their parents’ bed, as this way there is no risk for the baby and the parents are calmer.
5 good reasons for babies to sleep in their parents’ room
Therefore, it is recommended that the baby sleeps in the same room as the parents because:
- Facilitates night feedings, being a good help for new mothers;
- It is easier to calm the baby with soothing sounds or simply with your presence;
- There is a lower risk of sudden death, as it is possible to act faster if you notice that the baby is not breathing well;
- It increases the emotional bond that the child has and the child grows more secure, feeling loved by being closer to their parents, at least during the night;
- Helps you better understand your baby’s sleeping habits.
The baby can sleep in the same room as the parents, but it is not recommended that the baby sleep in the same bed as this can be very dangerous, putting the baby’s health at risk. Therefore, the ideal is for the baby’s crib to be placed next to the parents’ bed so that the parents can better observe the baby while they are lying down.
