What am I missing?

SusieQ1982

I'm sure it's just sleep deprivation and I'm missing something obvious, but why isn't it safe for baby to sleep on mom's chest in bed? Let's say there are no blankets so no suffocation risk. Baby is on his tummy but is that still a SIDS risk when he is right with a parent? Theres no falling risk since we sleep in the middle of the bed.

Is there anything else I'm not thinking of? I love sleeping with my son but I don't want to take any risks that aren't necessary.

meg07bride

its unsafe because when you fall asleep the baby might roll off her your chest, or you could roll onto the baby.

mwallon51040

I am pretty confident in myself with the baby.  I do it anyways.  There is risk that he could be smothered, smashed, fall...

margeincharge2

There are risks if you roll over onto him or if he rolls off you and you roll onto him.

FWIW, I think a lot of people sleep with their babies on them. I didn't want to do it either because you hear how it's a big no no. But when DS was 2,3,4 weeks old, he would ONLY sleep on me. So it was either both of us get some sleep or neither of us get sleep. I would lay on my back in bed, propped up a bit with DS in the middle of my chest. He slept so well like that. I was as stiff as a board the entire time and never had an incident. It was my lifesaver in those early weeks when it was the only way anyone slept. Once DS became more mobile I stopped because he would roll around more. But at a young age, they don't move at all so in my mind there is minimal risk of them rolling off you. DS is 4 months old now.

It is all about your comfort level. It's not ideal but sometimes you have to do what works. Lots of people say not to co-sleep for the same reasons but lots of people do it and do it safely.

brainwashxx

I sometimes do this with DD. I don't move at all and I keep my arms wrapped around her. The only thing i notice is when we wake up her head is more resting on my arm then my chest.