Sleepyhead recognizes that many people believe strongly that infants and young children should never sleep with adults in their bed, while others believe that such bed-sharing provides benefits. Many who choose to bed-share with a Sleepyhead pod find that the sides help establish a separate space for the baby that is close by to the parent(s).
If you choose to use a pod while co-sleeping, in addition to consulting with your pediatrician, be sure to follow these seven precautions:
1. You must not share a bed with your baby if you are a smoker, have been drinking alcohol, are obese, have sleep disorders, if you take medication or drugs that make you drowsy, or if you feel exhausted.
2. Carefully prepare the bed:
- Place the pod on a firm mattress only. Be sure it lays flat and remains flat with adult(s) in the bed.
- Position pod in center of bed, near headboard. Each side of the pod should be at least 12 inches from edge of bed.
- Make sure there are no extra pillows on the bed that can go over the baby while in the pod. Pillows and covers present a suffocation risk to your baby. Each parent should use only the pillow under their heads.
- Make sure there are no covers (including blankets, sheets, pillowcases, shams, comforters, and other bedding) over the pod. Covers placed over the pod can end up over the baby’s face. Covers can also cause overheating which is associated with increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Parents should use separate covers to reduce risk of blankets being pulled up over the baby.
3. To reduce risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, only place baby on back in the pod.
4. Do not add any blankets or padding of any kind under baby in the pod.
5. Keep all cords and strings away from baby. Cords of any kind, such as window or blind cords, present a strangulation risk.
6. Never leave baby alone in adult bed. If baby awakens and you aren’t present, s/he may scoot and fall off bed.
7. Never use components of pod separately. Only use when fully assembled and zipped. Loose fabric and parts may present a suffocation hazard.