Is it okay to co-sleep?
Absolutely! It is definitely okay to co-sleep in certain situations. To make it as safe as possible, be sure to have a firm, flat sleep surface (mattress) with bedding tucked in tight around the mattress. Make sure, too, that there are no comforters or other soft bedding such as quilts or blankets that might interfere with your baby’s breathing. That is true for stuffed animals, too! Also, make sure that you have something like bed rails to ensure your baby does not fall out of the bed.
Know, too, that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against bed-sharing before a baby is one-year-old because of safety concerns. However, sharing a room with a baby – a different type of co-sleeping, is recommended in the first few months of life.
About Dr. Melisa Moore