Ace the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) Exam 2026 – Leap into Your Nursing Adventure!

The risk factor associated with sleeping arrangements that parents should be particularly aware of regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is sleeping with their infant. When parents sleep in the same bed as their infants, there is an increased risk of suffocation, accidental smothering, or overheating. These environmental factors can contribute to SIDS, making it essential for parents to consider safe sleeping practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep in the same room as their parents, but not in the same bed. This allows for close monitoring while still maintaining a separate sleeping space that reduces the risk of these dangers.

In contrast, placing an infant on their back, using a pacifier during sleep, and keeping the infant in a separate room are considered safe practices. Positioning the infant on their back is one of the most significant protective measures against SIDS. Using a pacifier has also been linked to a reduced risk of SIDS, and keeping the infant in a separate room is advocated for promoting a safer sleep environment.