By Dr. William Sears, Babytalk
Safe co-sleeping
Always follow these sensible precautions:
1. Place your baby to sleep on his back.
2. Place your baby between you and a mesh guardrail or push the bed flush against the wall and position him between you and the wall, not between you and your spouse. Be sure there are no crevices where the baby could sink between the mattress and the guardrail, the mattress and the head- or footboard, or the mattress and the wall.
3. Keep all blankets and pillows away from the baby.
4. Use a large bed, preferably a queen- or king-size.
5. Don't sleep with your baby if you're under the influence of any drug (such as alcohol or tranquilizing medications) that diminish your sensitivity to the baby's presence.
6. Don't fall asleep with your baby on a couch, waterbed, or any soft surface that could cause the baby to suffocate.
7. Don't let your baby sleep unattended on an adult bed.
8. Don't allow any pets in the bed with you and your baby.