Co-Sleeping with Baby: What Parents Need to Know

Reviewed by: Tracie Kesatie, Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach

The early days of parenting are filled with choices that shape family life. One of those choices is whether to try co-sleeping with baby.

Though the choice is deeply personal, it connects families to cultures and generations of caregivers, where co-sleeping is practiced in different ways: Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of comfort, and often as a matter of tradition or instinct.

If you’re wondering what it means to sleep with newborn in bed, or whether co-sleeping is right for your family, you're not alone.

This guide will explore the different forms of co-sleeping and bedsharing, the potential benefits and risks, and how to create a sleep environment that supports both safety and mother-infant connection.

What is Co-Sleeping?

At its simplest, the choice of co-sleeping means a baby rests within close reach of their parents at night. That closeness looks different for every family, and can include¹:

Room sharing, where baby sleeps in a crib or bassinet in the parents’ room
Bed-sharing, when parents and baby sleep together in the same bed
Sidecar cots, where baby has their own sleep surface securely attached to the bed

Medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend room sharing without bed sharing for the first 6–12 months.² This approach reduces the risks commonly associated with co-sleeping while still keeping baby nearby.

For parents considering (or already choosing) co-sleeping, understanding the motivations behind this decision can provide reassurance and perspective.

Why Some Parents Choose Co-Sleeping

For some parents, co-sleeping often becomes an integral part of the rhythm and routine of early parenthood—a way to soothe, feed, and settle their baby without the disruption of moving from one room to another.

Families may be drawn to co-sleeping because:

Night feeds feel easier when baby is close by
Bonding deepens when nighttime hours are shared
Closeness offers comfort for both parent and baby

But alongside the ease that co-sleeping can bring, there are also safety concerns to consider.

The Benefits and Risks of Co-Sleeping

Co-sleeping is often seen as more than just a sleeping arrangement: In the quiet of the night, keeping a little one close can feel natural, even protective for parents. But that same closeness also raises safety questions, especially around infant sleep and bedsharing.

To understand the whole picture, it’s helpful to consider both sides: The benefits that draw families toward co-sleeping and the hazards that require careful attention.

Benefits of Co-Sleeping with Baby

Some parents notice advantages when their infant sleeps nearby, such as:

Faster response to feeding or soothing needs for the infant
Steadier breathing, temperature, and heart rate
Nurtured attachment and a greater sense of security and safe sleep for the child

These benefits can feel especially reassuring during those early months when nights are long and routines are taking shape. Still, the closeness of co-sleeping comes with some risks.

Risks Linked to Co-Sleeping

Certain sleep conditions can quickly turn closeness into concern. Understanding these challenges can help families approach co-sleeping with care and consideration to reduce risk. This is where informed decisions about infant sleep behavior become vital.

Safety issues linked to co-sleeping—in particular, bed-sharing—include³:

Increased risk of suffocation – Pillows, blankets, and soft mattresses can increase the risk of suffocation for your baby. Infants may slip under bedding or press their faces into soft surfaces, making it difficult to breathe.
Higher chance of SIDS – Bed-sharing has also been linked to a greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),⁴ particularly in the first year. A separate (safe) sleep environment is recommended. Keeping baby close but on their own sleep surface reduces this danger, while still offering proximity.
Parental exhaustion – Even the most attentive parents can’t control how deeply they sleep. Fatigue, alcohol, or sedating medications can make it harder to stay aware of a baby’s behavior and position during the night.

These safety concerns underscore why guidelines and harm-reduction practices are so important when taking a co-sleeping approach.

Sleeping with Baby in Bed: What Parents Should Know

When exhaustion sets in and baby’s cries seem endless, many parents instinctively pull their little one into bed to settle them quickly.

Because this instinct is so common, medical organizations have outlined clear guidelines on when bed-sharing is exceptionally unsafe and how families can reduce harm if they decide to do it. According to leading health organizations, risks are highest³:

When a baby is younger than four months
On couches, armchairs, or mattresses with soft bedding
When parents smoke, drink, or take medications that reduce alertness

For families who choose to bed-share despite these warnings, safer practices include:

Placing baby on their back to sleep
Using a firm mattress free of pillows, toys, or blankets
Ensuring both parents are alert and aware of the baby’s presence, as well as any changes in infant behavior and newborn sleep schedule
Parents with very long hair should tie it up to prevent entanglement around the infant’s neck
Infants should not sleep with other/older siblings

Ultimately, bed sharing is not risk-free. However, awareness of these risks can help families make more informed choices and, if they do co-sleep, prioritize harm reduction. Understanding the role of bedsharing in infant development is crucial.

Safer Alternatives to Bed-Sharing

For parents who want nearness without the risks commonly associated with sharing an adult bed, two alternatives can balance both closeness and reassurance:

Room-sharing – A crib, bassinet, or portable cot in your room allows baby to rest an arm’s length away. You can still hear changes in breathing and infant sleep patterns, respond quickly to fussing, and enjoy the reassurance of proximity, all while reducing the risk of SIDS.
Sidecar or co-sleeper bassinets – These attach securely to the side of your adult bed, providing infants with their own safe surface while offering you easy access for nighttime soothing. This setup often creates peace of mind: comfort without compromise.

Finding the right sleep arrangement can also support smoother nighttime feeding—a link many parents discover as they move between rest and care.

Feeding and Co-Sleeping Safety

Feeding is one of the main reasons parents turn to co-sleeping. When paired with a thoughtful sleep setup, safe feeding habits can make nights less stressful (and disruptive) for both parents and babies. Many parents who wonder when babies sleep through the night find that a consistent feeding and sleep routine—paired with safe co-sleeping practices—can help support better rest over time. That said, it's still essential to maintain safe habits.

Keep these sleep-safe tips in mind during nighttime feeds to protect infant sleep and reduce risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS):

Burp baby before settling them to ease any discomfort
Place baby on their back after feeding
Avoid drifting into unsafe positions while feeding in bed

Parents often find that easier digestion can mean a less fussy babe and calmer nights. Bubs’ goat milk and grass-fed cow’s milk formulas are made to be gentle on tiny tummies, supporting calmer nights, whether baby sleeps in a crib, bassinet, or sidecar cot.

How to Create a Safe Sleep Environment (Co-Sleeping or Not)

A safe sleep environment doesn’t just protect baby and provide parents with peace of mind—it also helps little ones rest more soundly.

To ensure a safe environment, whether you’re co-sleeping or not, follow these best practices:

Always lie babies on their backs to sleep
Use a firm, flat mattress without pillows, toys, or loose blankets
Dress baby in lightweight clothing or a sleep sack to prevent overheating
Keep the room at the proper temperature
Ensure all caregivers follow the same sleep safety routines

Common Myths About Co-Sleeping

Personal experiences and well-meaning advice often shape conversations about co-sleeping with baby. Some of these ideas can sound reassuring, while others can create worry or confusion.

By understanding common myths about co-sleeping, you can feel more grounded in your decision about your family’s sleeping arrangement:

Co-sleeping always guarantees better sleep for parents – Some parents find that co-sleeping makes night wakings easier, but it can also lead to frequent disruptions. Ultimately, each family’s experience will differ, as restful nights depend on many factors, including the baby’s temperament and parents’ routines.
Babies won’t learn independence if they co-sleep – Research shows that babies can still develop independence and healthy sleep habits regardless of whether they co-sleep or sleep in a separate room.⁵ What matters most is that sleep practices are safe and consistent. However, parents should also follow AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) guidelines on room sharing for at least the first 6 months unless otherwise directed by or discussed with your pediatrician.
Bed-sharing is the only form of co-sleeping – Parents can achieve closeness with their newborn even without bed-sharing. Alternative options, such as room-sharing or sidecar setups, provide proximity with lower risk.

Once myths are set aside, what remains is the heart of the journey—supporting parents as they make the choices that feel right for their family.

Supporting Parents’ Choices

Every family's sleep journey is unique—what works for one household may not suit another, and that’s okay. What’s most important is choosing safe, consistent practices that support both you and your baby.

Open conversations with pediatricians. child health nurses and Certified Pediatric Sleep Coaches can help guide you toward the best-fit option for your family. These professionals can also:

Review your current sleep setup and suggest safer alternatives
Answer questions about risks and how to reduce them
Provide resources on safe feeding and nighttime routines
Offer tailored advice if baby has reflux or other health conditions
Reassure you that your questions and concerns are valid

By leaning on trusted support and focusing on consistency and infant sleep safety, you can make informed choices regarding co-sleeping with your infant—an outlook that paves the way for safe and restful nights and supports healthy development.

Creating Safe and Restful Nights for Your Baby

Co-sleeping takes many forms, from room-sharing to bed-sharing, and each offers its own benefits and drawbacks. While room sharing with a separate sleep surface remains the safest option, parents who choose bed-sharing can reduce risks by following harm reduction practices.

Ultimately, by staying informed, you and your family can approach sleep with greater confidence. And with the right balance of protection and connection, nights can be a source of comfort, security, and closeness, all snuggled up into one.

Make bedtime even more peaceful by ensuring your little one is nourished with clean baby formula that supports healthy growth and restful sleep. Explore the Bubs range today to find an infant goat milk formula or grass-fed infant formula made with trusted ingredients and pure nutrition for your baby’s needs.

Tracie Kesatie, Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach

Tracie Kesatie is an experienced Certified Gentle Sleep Coach and the founder of Rest Well Baby. She combines nearly two decades of personal parenting experience—as a mother of four well-rested children—with her professional background to help families worldwide solve pediatric sleep challenges.

Her expertise is built on a strong academic foundation, including a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling. Since becoming a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach in 2014, Tracie has established herself as a trusted authority for parents with children aged 0–10, specializing in supportive, non-judgmental, and custom-tailored sleep support.

Tracie's insights have been featured across various media platforms, including appearances on the Home & Family TV show and as an expert guest on popular podcasts like Is It Bedtime Yet? and Golden Hour. As a member of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants, she is dedicated to empowering parents and ensuring the entire family achieves restful sleep.

Sources:

Sleep Foundation. Co-Sleeping With Your Baby. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/co-sleeping
American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022?
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Safe sleep for your baby. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2019-04/Safe_to_Sleep_AI_AN_brochure.pdf
Australian Breastfeeding Association. Breastfeeding and co-sleeping. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/co-sleeping
National Library of Medicine. A Comparison of the Sleep–Wake Patterns of Cosleeping and Solitary-Sleeping Infants. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1201416/