from American Academy of Pediatrics
More than three thousand infants die each year in this country from sleep-related issues, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated safe sleep recommendations to protect against SIDS. They recommend that newborns sleep in the same bedroom as the parents, but on a separate surface such as a crib or bassinet. They say room sharing decreases risk of SIDS by as much as fifty percent. Babies should never be placed on a sofa, couch or cushioned chair because those surfaces are considered extremely hazardous. Other recommendations include placing the baby on his or her back on a firm sleep surface, avoiding use of soft bedding. No crib bumpers, blankets, pillows or soft toys.