Sleep safety for infants: Memorial Hermann The Woodlands on new recommendations

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued new guidelines on infant sleeping practices, stating that infants should sleep in the same room as parents – but not in the same bed.

In its first update since 2011, the AAP says that room-sharing decreases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50 percent.

Woodlands Online chatted with Dr. Adriane Garcia, a pediatric hospitalist affiliated with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, for more information.

WOL: What is behind the change?

Dr. Garcia: The risk of SIDS came down in the 1990's with the Back to Sleep initiative -- it's still the number one recommendation. But not much had changed since then, so the AAP took another look at sleep practices.

WOL: What are the new recommendations?

Dr. Garcia: We encourage you to have your infant in the same room as you, but not in the same bed, for at least six months -- even up to the first year. The risk of SIDS decreases after six months.

WOL: Why should infants sleep in the same room as mom and dad, but not in the same bed?

Dr. Garcia: You can observe, attend and bond with baby, but baby still has its own safe bed space. This also helps with breastfeeding, which can be exhausting for a new mother, but we know breastfeeding also reduces the risk of SIDS. A lot of moms fall asleep in bed with baby while breastfeeding, but the minute you wake up, put baby in its own safe sleep environment.

WOL: Did the guidelines address anything else?

Dr. Garcia: Parents can now buy bedside and in-bed sleepers. In 2011, AAP guidelines did not address those, but the new guidelines do. Parents want to get the best and fanciest for baby, but it's important to research and choose products that have consumer protection and research behind them.

For more information on the most recent AAP guidelines, visit www.aap.org.