What do I tell a babysitter that insists babies sleep better on their tummies?
Do not let the babysitter place the baby on his/her tummy for naps or nighttime. See answer to above question. It is very important to talk to babysitters – whether relative, child care provider, etc – the importance of back sleeping. A full 20% of SIDS deaths occur in child care! It seems easier to breast feed if baby sleeps in parent’s bed. Is co-sleeping okay? Co-sleeping may promote breast feeding, minimize tummy infant sleeping, and increase parent and infant arousal, but it may also result in overheating and excessive exposure to passive smoke. Baby may also be sleeping on a soft mattress with pillows and quilts and may be at risk of entrapment between the bed and wall or headboard. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that co-sleeping does not protect against SIDS and may increase the risk of accidental suffocation. However, many pediatricians and parents strongly advocate co-sleeping. If parents choose to share their bed with their baby, they should follow these guidelines
