How old should babies start sleeping alone? While the latest safe sleep guidelines suggest parents should room-share with their babies until they are at least 6 months old, new research suggests that may not be the best thing for either the baby or the rest of the family.

Each year, more than 3,500 infants in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly while sleeping, often from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated policy and technical report, addressing the use of sleepers and adding recommendations for creating a safe sleep environment is essential to reducing the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. The following article will provide additional helpful information on how to ensure your infant sleeps safely.