Breastfeeding and co-sleeping

Co-sleeping – when a parent or caregiver shares a sleep surface with their baby – is more common than you might think. In fact, about 75% of Australian babies spend some time co-sleeping in their first 3 to 6 months.^1,2

You may choose from several options to keep your baby close at sleep time. They can sleep in the same bed as you, next to your bed on a separate sleep surface, or with their cot close to your bed so they can see and hear you.

Having your baby close to you at night makes feeding and caring easier and helps everyone get more rest.³

It’s recommended that babies sleep in their own sleep space, like a cot or bassinet, in your room for the first 6 to 12 months.⁴ 

Babies need to be fed during the night and many new mums fall asleep while feeding their baby. Co-sleeping helps to minimise disruption to sleep for both mum and baby.⁷ Breastfeeding and co-sleeping often go hand in hand. Feeding at night is easier when your baby is close, and many mums find their breastfeeding journey continues for longer when they co-sleep.⁸

Breastfeeding has a protective effect against sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUDI)

There are several theories as to why breastfeeding helps protect babies from SUDI:

• Breastfed babies are more easily woken up than formula-fed babies at 2 to 3 months of age, which is the age when SUDI occurs most often.¹⁰
• Breastfeeding provides important immune factors like antibodies and white blood cells, which may help protect babies.¹¹
• Fewer infections: Some babies who die suddenly and unexpectedly have had a minor infection in the days before, but it wasn’t considered enough to cause death on its own. Breastfed babies tend to have fewer infections than formula-fed babies.¹¹

How breastfeeding mums co-sleep safely

You might feel unsure about co-sleeping with your baby. However, research shows that breastfeeding mums who co-sleep often do things that naturally help keep their baby close and safe:

• The breastfeeding mum usually forms a protective “C” shape around their baby. She keeps her baby at the level of her breast with an arm between her baby's head and the pillow.
• She instinctively bends her legs, creating a protective space around the baby. This makes it almost impossible for someone else to roll onto the baby without first touching her legs.¹²
• Breastfeeding mums who co-sleep tend to be highly responsive to their baby’s needs.
• Mums and babies who co-sleep often wake more during the night. This may help protect against sudden unexpected infant deaths, as mums check on and breastfeed their babies more frequently than when room-sharing.^14,15

Certain situations increase the risk of SUDI when co-sleeping:

Protecting your baby’s airways

Place your baby on their back on a firm mattress. If using a cot or bassinet, check that it is well fitting to avoid gaps where your baby may become trapped. If co-sleeping, do not have your mattress against a wall as they may become stuck.

• Sofas and armchairs: Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. This is very dangerous as a baby may become trapped against soft padding or against the back of the chair
• Put your baby in their own infant sleep suit. Avoid anything that could cover baby’s head, nose or mouth as it may affect their ability to breathe. For example, avoid duvets, blankets, toys, pillows, or toys.
• Babies should only share a sleep surface with a parent or caregiver, not siblings or pets.

Other issues

• Do not co-sleep if you are affected by alcohol or drugs or you're extremely tired. These can make it unsafe to co-sleep because they may affect your ability to respond¹³
• Overheating: Make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot. Use a baby sleeping bag. Do not sleep baby between two adults.
• Leaving baby alone on an adult bed: Babies should never be left unattended on an adult bed.
• Formula feeding: Formula-fed babies are safer sleeping in their own space next to your bed.
• Smoking: If you or your partner smoke, or smoked during pregnancy, do not co-sleep with your baby.

Red Nose provides the following tips if you choose to co-sleep:

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back.
• Use a firm, flat mattress.
• Create a clear sleep space for baby to sleep. Place baby to the side of one parent – never in the middle of two adults or next to other children or pets.
• Use a safe sleeping bag with no hood and baby’s arms out. Don’t wrap or swaddle baby.
• Make sure baby can’t fall off the bed. Move the bed away from the wall so baby can’t get trapped between the bed and the wall.
• Avoid electric blankets and keep pillows, doonas, and sheets away from your baby.
• Keep your baby’s head uncovered.
• Tie up long hair and remove all jewellery including teething necklaces.

Australian Breastfeeding Association and Red Nose downloadable resources

Bed sharing and your baby

How breastfeeding helps protect against Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Other sites and information

Red Nose: Safe sleeping guide
Red Nose: Safer co-sleeping guide

Caring for your baby at night and when sleeping – UNICEF
Dr James McKenna’s website