The reason you should not let your kids fall asleep on your chest
A charity is warning parents not to fall asleep with their baby on their chest, due to the high risk of getting suffocated, as the Independent reports.
Co-sleeping is a controversial topic. While in many cultures around the world babies and adults have always slept together, some critics believe such a thing can be fatal. Lullaby Trust, an organisation providing expert advice on safer sleep for babies, is warning parents against falling asleep on the sofa or in an armchair while holding their babies, noting that it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 50 times.
One of the charity’s reports showed that in England and Wales approximately one-sixth of infants who died of SIDS were found sleeping with an adult on a sofa. “Sleeping on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby is one of the most high-risk situations for them,” a spokesperson told Huffington Post. “Not only is there the risk of accidents or suffocation but it can increase the risk of SIDS by up to 50 times.”
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The Lullaby Trust suggests putting the baby down in a separate place if you think you might be accidentally falling asleep. When it comes to breastfeeding, mothers should have someone else stay with them or feed the baby in a position they are confident they won’t fall asleep in. Furthermore, co-sleeping is never an option if any of the parents smokes, drinks alcohol, takes drugs, is extremely tired or if the baby is born premature. NHS guidelines advise parents to ‘never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.’
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