Introduction: What are evidence

based recommendations for “safe

co-sleeping” within the first year of the
infant’s life? With approximately half of all
mothers in the U.S. practicing infant bed
sharing at some time, it is important, as a
public health measure, to emphasize the
Why Co-Sleeping Matters:
specific factors in bed sharing that make it
less risky and safer. According to Goldberg
and Keller (2007), “Mothers whose race is
Asian have the highest prevalence of sleeping
with their infants, yet their infants have the
lowest SIDS and infant mortality rates.”
Main Findings: Co-sleeping can be a safe
and practical tool to improve the well being of
mom and baby, if implemented properly, by
avoiding risks such as drug use, drinking,
using bulky bedding etc.
Articles:
An Evidence Based Look
Ball, H. L., Taylor, C. E., Thomas, V., & Douglas, P. S. (2020). Development and
evaluation of ’Sleep, Baby & You’—An approach to supporting parental
well-being and responsive infant caregiving. PLoS ONE, 15(8), 1–16.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0237240

Methods: Three articles were found
using the Westminster College online library
database. They were all peer reviewed and
written within the last 15 years. Key search
terms: Safe, Co-sleeping, & Bedsharing.
into the Benefits and Risks
of Co-Sleeping Within the
Goldberg, W. A., & Keller, M. A. (2007). Parent–infant co-sleeping: why the
interest and concern? Infant & Child Development, 16(4), 331–339.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/10.1002/icd.523
Matlock-Carr, N. L., & Ward, K. S. (2015). Helping Parents Make Informed
Decisions Regarding Bed-Sharing. International Journal of Childbirth Education,
30(1), 77–81
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edo&AN=103293445&s
ite=eds-live

Discussion: The three articles discuss the First Year of Life.

benefits and risks associated with co-sleeping.
They mention that education is the key to
preventing risks.

Results: Pros: Easier to feed baby

during the night, mom and baby get better
sleep, and comfort of knowing baby is right
there. Cons: dangerous if one or both parents
are impaired, baby may get rolled on top of
cause suffocation, and risk of baby falling off
bed. According to our articles if Co-Sleeping By: Jane Horne, Jeff Houston, & Kaylee Carlsen
is practiced safely it can be beneficial.