Why Are “Safe Sleep” Recommendations Hard for Families?

I’ve written in the past about the risks of bedspring with your infant, specifically accidental suffocation and SIDS. In general, I don’t think that co-sleeping is a good idea, both for safety and because it may be associated with sleep difficulty later in childhood. No parent would argue that safe sleep for babies is really important. Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician Children’s Hospital Boston, wrote a terrific article on why families struggle to follow “safe sleep” recommendations, which are:

1. Always have put your bed to sleep on her back.
2. Don’t bed share with your baby.
3. Keep the crib bare of any soft pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, etc.
4. Consider using a pacifier
5. Don’t smoke.

Dr. McCarthy’s article is a terrific summary of these recommendations, and the challenges that they entail. If you or someone close to you has an infant or is going to have one soon, I highly recommend that you read this.

“Why some parents don’t follow the “safe sleep” recommendations for babies”