American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Infant Sleep Guidelines

Safe infant sleep is a hot topic, and an important one for new parents. Many parents look to the American Academy of Pediatrics for guidelines on infant sleep safety, and the organization has just issued their first update on the subject since 2011.

In an effort to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation, the AAP now recommends that the infant share the parents' room in a bassinette or crib for a minimum of six months. Additionally, as sleep deprivation is common among new parents, they advise that parents never fall asleep while holding their baby on a chair or sofa - rather, they might feed the baby while lying down in bed.

Other safety tips issued by the AAP include never laying the baby down on a sofa or cushioned chair; removing pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, and soft toys from the sleeping space; and placing the baby on its back to sleep.

You can check out the new AAP infant sleep guidelines here. Will this update change anything about where your baby sleeps?