In many parts of the world, it is common for parents and infants to share one bed. The practice is common in Africa where many families practice bed-sharing. While bed-sharing is often done with good intentions, studies have shown that sharing your bed with your baby may be dangerous and can lead to other difficulties. Reasons for bed-sharing Sharing your bed with your infant is appealing for a number of reasons. It can be convenient for middle-of-the-night feedings, and many people find it a comfort to both their baby and themselves. Some parenting styles advocate a family bed to promote bonding. Dangers The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) do not recommend sharing your bed with your infant due to the risks of suffocation and entrapment. According to CPSC data, 180 children under the age of two died after being placed in adult beds from 1999 through 2001. Parents may roll onto their infant, or the child may suffocate under blankets, in a pillow or become entrapped between the mattress and headboard. Bed-sharing is particularly dangerous for babies when other siblings also share the bed or if a parent has been drinking alcohol or using drugs. Other drawbacks According to Nemours KidsHealth, bed-sharing is not only dangerous for babies, it can also interfere with both parents' and infants' sleep. Parents may not sleep as well with their baby in their bed, and infants may become dependent on their parents' presence for falling asleep, which may cause problems at nap time or down the road when parents are ready to transition their children out of their bed. Alternatives While studies have shown that bed-sharing can be dangerous, the AAP does recommend sleeping close to your baby to help make breast-feeding more convenient, to promote bonding and because sleeping in the same room as your baby may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The safest way to sleep close to your baby is to place a bassinet or crib, free of toys, blankets and pillows, within an arm's reach of your bed. Transitioning out of the parents' bed If you've already begun the practice of sharing your bed with your baby, it may take a little work to transition your child to sleeping alone in a crib. According to Nemours KidsHealth, it is easiest to make this transition before your baby is six months of age and becomes accustomed to this sleeping arrangement. Pregnancy.org adds that you can help ease the transition by, at first, staying right next to your baby while he falls asleep alone in his crib or bassinet. After a few nights, stand a few steps away while he falls asleep, and then, if you are transitioning the baby to his own room, stand in the doorway while he falls asleep, and eventually outside of it. Just be sure to be consistent. Once you start the process, don't bring the child back into your bed on some nights.