The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated safety guidelines to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including a recommendation on how long infants should sleep in the same room as parents.
Infants should sleep in the same room as their parents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ updated safety precautions to protect against sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
AAP will release their policy update at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco. A research paper is scheduled to be published in the November 2016 issue of the journal Pediatrics.
The paper recommends new parents have their infants sleep in the same room as they do for at least six months, though on a separate surface such as a crib or basket, and never on a couch, armchair or any other soft surface. AAP officials say these recommendations sharply reduce the risk of SIDS.
“We know that parents may be overwhelmed with a new baby in the home, and we want to provide them with clear and simple guidance on how and where to put their infant to sleep,” lead researcher Rachel Mood said in a press release. “Parents should never place the baby on a sofa, couch, or cushioned chair, either alone or sleeping with another person. We know that these surfaces are extremely hazardous.”
