The baby’s crying, again, and you’re exhausted. Your instinct may be to tuck her into bed with you or snuggle on the couch. But the risks, some experts say, are just too high. In Florida in 2007, 66 infants died for suffocation or strangulation in bed. Another 81 died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The issue remains controversial among advocates who say safe co-sleeping (with parents who are not obese and are drug- and alcohol-free) is natural, promotes breastfeeding and encourages bonding. So it’s understandable parents are confused about mixed messages.

 Here is what the research, gathered by Healthy Families Florida, shows:

• Suffocation and strangulation in bed is the leading cause of injury-related death for infants under age 1. The risk of suffocation among infants who sleep in adult beds is 40 times higher than the risk of suffocation in cribs.
   
• 4,500-plus infants suddenly die in the United States each year of no obvious cause. The risk of SIDS is three times higher for children whose mothers smoked while pregnant and two to three times higher for babies living in a smoker’s household. 
   
• And babies who are placed on their stomachs to sleep when they are used to sleeping on their backs are 18 times more likely to die of SIDS.

While parents need to make their own decisions based on research, Healthy Families Florida encourages the following:

• Babies should sleep alone, on their back, on a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet or cradle. The area should be smoke-free. Adult beds, couches, chairs, waterbeds and the like are not safe for babies to sleep in.
   
• The crib mattress should be covered with a tightly fitted sheet that tucks well under the mattress pad. Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket and keep pillows and stuffed animals out of baby’s bed.
   
• Babies should sleep on their backs during naps and at night until age 1, unless the baby’s doctors says another position is better. Don’t forget to remove the bib before putting baby to bed.
   
• Parents should talk about safe sleeping to anyone who cares for their baby.

Here are some other tips to keeping your baby safe:

• NEVER EVER SHAKE YOUR BABY! Babies cry a lot. If you’re stressed, place your baby in his crib and walk out of the room for a few minutes until you can calm down. Shaking your baby can seriously injure or even kill him. Please make sure any caregiver knows this as well. For more information, go to www.dontshake.com.
   
• Get your baby regular medical check-ups. Babies need vaccinations often in their first year of life. And your doctor needs to make sure your baby is growing and developing. Check-ups are the best way to do that.
   
• Put your baby in a secure carseat whenever you travel in a vehicle. It’s the law and it’s a lifesaver. If you need help paying for a carseat, or help installing one, click here to learn about Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's Car Seat/Child Passenger Safety Seat Checks.
   
• Talk to, read to and cuddle with your baby. Your baby needs you close. Hearing your voice, feeling your arms around him and knowing you love him will help stimulate his brain and prepare him for a successful life.
   
• Understand how babies learn and grow. Babies develop so fast, it’s sometimes hard for parents to keep up. But if you know what to expect when you’re baby is one month, three months, six months and so on, you’ll understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. You’ll be less likely to get upset or frustrated when he’s crying if you know the reason, like he’s teething. And you’ll recognize his amazing accomplishments, like when you see him hold his head up for the first time.

For more information about child development, click here to visit The Ages & Stages of Childhood page.