The American Academy of Pediatrics on co-sleeping

Pediatrician Tanya Altmann, MD, explains the American Academy of Pediatrics's recommendations for co-sleeping and their opposition to bed-sharing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics on Co-Sleeping
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The American Academy of Pediatrics on co-sleeping

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The American academy of pediatrics recommends room sharing when you have a new baby, but not bed sharing. We know that co-sleeping is one of the many risk factors for SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. So the American academy of pediatrics recommends bringing your baby to bed with you for nursing, for bonding, for cuddling, but when it’s time to go to sleep put your baby in their safe sleep environment, which can be an arm’s reach away in their own basinet or co-sleeper. They are still right their when you need them to bring them near you for nursing and for bonding and for talking and singing to your little one which is so nice and so much fun. The safest place for baby to sleep is on their back in their own safe sleeping environment. So you don’t want any loose blankets, pillows or bumpers in the crib. If it’s a chilly night or you think your baby needs an extra layer, thrust them in a sleep sac or swaddle them tight as long as the blankets not loose and they can’t accidently kick it up over the face.

Pediatrician Tanya Altmann, MD, explains the American Academy of Pediatrics's recommendations for co-sleeping and their opposition to bed-sharing.

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Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP

Pediatrician

A leading medical authority for the popular press and entertainment industry, Dr. Tanya Altmann is a best-selling author, parenting expert and media spokesperson. A working mother and UCLA-trained pediatrician who practices in Southern California, Dr. Tanya is a designated spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, communicating complicated medical issues into easily understood concepts.  She is a child health expert for numerous news programs and talk shows including Today (NBC), and KTLA (CW Los Angeles). She stays on the cutting edge through her position as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Newborn Channel and her private practice.

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Transcription: 
The American academy of pediatrics recommends room sharing when you have a new baby, but not bed sharing. We know that co-sleeping is one of the many risk factors for SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. So the American academy of pediatrics recommends bringing your baby to bed with you for nursing, for bonding, for cuddling, but when it’s time to go to sleep put your baby in their safe sleep environment, which can be an arm’s reach away in their own basinet or co-sleeper. They are still right their when you need them to bring them near you for nursing and for bonding and for talking and singing to your little one which is so nice and so much fun. The safest place for baby to sleep is on their back in their own safe sleeping environment. So you don’t want any loose blankets, pillows or bumpers in the crib. If it’s a chilly night or you think your baby needs an extra layer, thrust them in a sleep sac or swaddle them tight as long as the blankets not loose and they can’t accidently kick it up over the face.