As a parent, there are various things you can do to make sure your baby is safe and healthy, especially during their sleep hours. One of the decisions that many new parents make is letting their newborn baby sleep on the couch alongside them.

However, this can cause more harm than good, according to top experts, who warn against infant couch sleeping.

What is Infant Couch Sleeping?

Infant couch sleeping is a common practice among many new parents where they allow their newborns to sleep alongside them on the couch.

Often, this occurs when a baby falls asleep while breastfeeding or when a parent feels too tired to move the baby to their crib or bassinet. Unfortunately, many parents are unaware that couch sleeping is highly dangerous.

The Risks of Infant Couch Sleeping

The idea of couch sleeping may make new parents feel closer to their child, and offer convenience when they feel tired. However, there are many risks associated with infant couch sleeping, including:.

1. Entrapment and Suffocation

One of the main risks of infant couch sleeping is the risk of suffocation. Couch cushions are usually soft and could lead to entrapment, causing the baby to suffocate.

Infants can easily slide between cushions and become trapped, resulting in breathing difficulties or suffocation.

2. Unintentional Overlays

It is common for exhausted parents to fall asleep on the couch with their baby. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of overlays, where the parent accidentally rolls over and smother the baby.

This can also occur when another family member or sibling falls asleep on the couch with the baby.

3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS is a rare but serious condition that can cause sudden and unexpected death for babies while they sleep.

The risk of SIDS increases when a baby is placed on a couch rather than a crib or bassinet, making it crucial for parents to avoid this practice.

4. Suffocation from Wedging or Covering

Babies that are placed on couches instead of cribs or bassinets are more likely to get wedged between cushions, pillows, or blankets. This can cause suffocation, as the baby may not be able to free themselves.

Infants can also slide down and get covered by loose blankets, leading to suffocation.

Why Love For Safety Matters

Couch sleeping is common, but it is also highly risky. According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who sleep on the couch have a higher likelihood of sleep-related death, which is why safety should always come first.

Love for your baby should never mean putting them in harm’s way. Instead, parents should prioritize their child’s safety by creating a safe sleep environment by placing them in a crib, bassinet, or play yard.

Creating A Safe Sleep Environment for Your Infant

Creating a safe sleep environment for your infant is not complicated. Here are a few things you can do to create a safe environment for your newborn:.

1. Use a Crib or Bassinet

The ideal sleep environment for your newborn is a crib or bassinet. These items are specifically created for infants and come with safety precautions such as firm mattresses and a snug fit for sheets.

Avoid putting your baby to sleep on other furniture such as the couch or recliner.

2. Firm Surface

Always ensure that your newborn baby’s surface is firm. A soft surface like a couch cushion or even an adult bed may cause entrapment and suffocation as we already explained in the previous sections.

3. Back to Sleep

When putting your baby to sleep, always place them on their back. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of suffocation and can lead to SIDS, which is still the leading cause of death in infants under the age of one year.

4. Remove Loose Objects

Remove all loose objects from your baby’s crib or bassinet. This includes stuffed toys, pillows, and blankets. Loose objects could cause suffocation or entrapment. If you need to cover your baby, consider a fitted sheet or sleep sack.

Conclusion

Infant couch sleeping is a dangerous practice that should be avoided. To ensure the safety of your newborn, it is essential to create a safe sleep environment.

Parents should prioritize their child’s safety by always placing them in a crib, bassinet, or play yard –never on the couch. Remember that safety should always come first, and love for your newborn child should never encourage risky behavior.