Sleeping in the same bed as your baby, which the AAP advises against because it increases the risk of suffocation, overheating, and SIDS. Room-sharing (baby in their own sleep space in your room) is the recommended alternative. If you do bed-share, research safe practices to reduce risk.
Related Terms
A set of practices that reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. The basics: put your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface with no blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for at least the first 6 months.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby, usually during sleep. It's the leading cause of death for infants between 1 and 12 months. Following safe sleep guidelines like putting babies on their backs and keeping cribs clear of loose bedding cuts the risk significantly.
The practice of placing infants on their backs for every sleep, including naps. This single change, promoted since the 1990s, cut SIDS rates by more than 50%. Once a baby can roll both ways on their own, you don't need to keep flipping them back.