Co-sleeping: the safety picture, and moving away from it

This guide is general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you're concerned about your child's health, or they're unwell, please see a doctor.

Plenty of Australian families end up sharing a bed with their baby, whether by choice or at 3am out of sheer exhaustion. This is the part of sleep where the guidance is firm, so we're going to be direct about what the safety advice says, and then practical about changing it if you want to.

What Red Nose says

Red Nose does not recommend co-sleeping, meaning sharing a sleep surface with your baby, and states that sharing a sleep space may increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy in some circumstances. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own safe sleep space, in the same room as their parent or caregiver, for at least the first six months.

Falling asleep with a baby on a couch or chair is always unsafe.

When it is especially dangerous

Red Nose identifies circumstances where co-sleeping carries particular risk: if you or your partner smoke, even if not in the bedroom; if either of you has taken drugs, alcohol or medication that makes you sleepy or less aware; if either of you is overly tired or unwell; or if your baby was premature or small for gestational age.

If you do co-sleep

Red Nose acknowledges that some parents choose to co-sleep and others find themselves doing so unintentionally, and offers guidance to make the space safer:

• Place your baby on their back to sleep, never on the tummy or side.
• Keep baby's head and face uncovered, with pillows and adult bedding away from your baby.
• Use a safe sleeping bag with no hood and baby's arms out; do not wrap or swaddle a baby when co-sleeping.
• Don't use a waterbed, and don't place anything soft underneath your baby, such as a lambswool underlay or pillows.

Moving away from it, if you choose to

Go gradually. A cot or bassinet beside your bed keeps you close while giving your baby their own safe sleep surface, which also satisfies the room-sharing recommendation. Keep the rest of the bedtime routine identical so only the sleep surface changes, start with naps to build familiarity, and expect a few unsettled nights.

If you're unsure what's safe in your situation, Red Nose runs a Safe Sleep Advice Line, and your child and family health nurse or GP can advise on your circumstances.

Sources

• Red Nose Australia, Co-sleeping with your baby
• Red Nose Australia, Six safe sleep recommendations
• Red Nose Australia, Room sharing

Last updated: July 2026. Sources include Red Nose Australia and Raising Children Network where cited above. This guide is general information only. For individual concerns, see your GP or child health nurse.