Co-sleeping and sudden infant death: an alarming new study

Co-sleeping, a factor in sudden infant death? A study published in the journal Pediatrics and transmitted by Washington Post analyzed 7,595 cases of sudden death of children under three months old, between 2011 and 2020. And the results speak for themselves. As a reminder, second Public health France Sudden infant death syndrome is the “sudden death of a child aged between 1 month and 1 year previously in good health, although nothing in its known antecedents and factual history would suggest this.”

Room sharing reduces sudden death, but is not necessarily recommended

This is revealed by the study data 59.5% the newborns who died suddenly slept together, therefore in a shared sleep, at the time of their death, and 75.9%, who were sleeping in an adult bed at the time of their deaths. But despite sharing the room reduce the risk of sudden death of the newborn, leader of the study discourage parents from sharing a sleeping surface with their baby, as this would increase the risk of death.

They then give some recommendations: A bed that is too soft seems to be common among all deceased children, which would be dangerous. Therefore, scientists recommend that parents and other caregivers take action mattresses that are firm, flat and contain nothing but a fitted sheet.

But noticing a high number of “ unsafe sleeping practices », are aware that co-sleeping is the only solution for some parents. “ We need to work better with families to increase acceptance of recommendations to create safer sleep spaces for their babies », concludes the study. Today they are there solutions for sleeping with your baby without putting his health at risk, including co-sleeping beds. These are height-adjustable cradles, which can therefore be adjusted until they reach the level of the parents’ bed, and above all they open laterally to help the parent pick up the child.

Do you like our articles? You’ll love our podcasts. All our series, urgently listen to here.