Do AAP Room-Sharing Recommendations Impair Infant Sleep?

A longitudinal study shows that infants who room-share through age 9 months have shorter sleep duration and are more likely to bed-share.

In 2016 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended infant-parent room-sharing for at least 6 months, ideally 12, to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS; NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Dec 2016 and Pediatrics 2016; 138:e20162938). Critics have expressed concern that room-sharing through 12 months could result in shorter sleep duration and related developmental sequelae.

To study room-sharing and sleep quality, researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from 230 infants in an obesity-prevention study. Sleep data (location, routines, night wakings/feedings, duration) were collected via parent survey at 4, 9, 12, and 30 months.

At 4 months, room-sharing infants, compared with independent sleepers, had slightly shor…

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Do AAP Room-Sharing Recommendations Impair Infant Sleep?

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Reviewing Author