Co-Sleeping can be safe. By following some basic recommendations you can make sure that your co-sleeping environment is as safe as possible. Please visit the following sites for more information on a safe Family Bed.

SafeBedSharing.org has Co-Sleeping Safety Guidelines, Parenting Forums and Live Chat. Please visit to learn more or to connect with other co-sleeping families.

* Never leave an infant or toddler unattended on an adult bed. Co-Sleeping or family bed sharing consists of an adult & a child. Babies can roll off of beds (even when using a co-sleeping device) can become tangled in blankets, or otherwise need the attention of an adult. We recommend babies not be left unattended in the early months.
* Never sleep with your baby on a water bed or on a couch. Water beds and couches are associated with suffocation of babies.
* Avoid adding railings or putting furniture next to the side of your bed. Baby could become lodged next to railing or furniture and suffocate
* Avoid pushing your bed against a wall. Baby could also be lodged between the bed and wall causing suffocation.
*Never let another sibling sleep next to your baby. Children sleep deeply and may roll over on baby. Baby is best placed next to Mom or Dad only.
* Never sleep next to your baby if you are intoxicated or have been using drugs, are taking medications, are overly tired or in any other way feel that your ability to be aroused could be affected.
* It is not recommended that you bed share if are currently smoking. This has been associated with higher incidence of S.I.D.S.
* Use a firm mattress for bed sharing. Soft mattresses can allow baby to accidentally roll over causing suffocation.
* Make sure all bedding fits snuggly on the mattress. Fitted sheets that come loose could cover baby's face.
* Make sure mattress is flush against head and footboards. If there are any gaps baby could become lodged between head or footboard and mattress and cause suffocation.
* Always place baby to sleep on her back. This has been shown to reduce the risk of S.I.D.S.
* Avoid over dressing your baby. Overheating is also associated with an increased risk of S.I.D.S.
* Avoid strings or ties on night clothes or blankets. These could cause strangulation. Be sure to remove toys or other objects from bed before sleep time, to avoid suffocation.
* If you have long hair tie it in a pony tail or braid it. Long hair could cause suffocation or strangulation.

Visit Dr. Buckley's Site to see 10 Tips for Safe Sleeping plus a wealth of info on parenting, breastfeeding.

Mother Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab

The University of Notre Dame Mother Baby Sleep Lab offers links to safe bed sharing info, including a list of safety brochures.