Sleep: Position, Bed-sharing

At one month, most babies stay awake more than they did at one week. But they still sleep about 15 hours a day.

Sleep position

To prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), continue to put your baby on his or her back to sleep. Once babies start sleeping on their stomachs, they can rarely be persuaded to go to sleep on their backs.

The highest risk of SIDS occurs between two and four months of age.

Bed-sharing

A common issue for parents is whether or not to allow your baby to sleep in your bed with you. Researchers disagree about the benefits and dangers of bed-sharing. It may facilitate breastfeeding. But it also may increase the the risk of suffocation and SIDS.

Related Links

Return to "Volume 3: The first month"

Pregnancy Condition Center: Your baby

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Parenting resources

First published: 05/07/2001
Last updated: 05/24/2005

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rogan, MD, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota