Co-sleeping or bed sharing with babies under 1 year old is a debated topic. On one hand, co-sleeping can make breastfeeding and comforting a baby easier during the night and allows for closer bonding between the baby and parents. However, there are some risks associated with co-sleeping such as an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend that doctors, nurses and health visitors discuss the risks and benefits of different sleeping positions with new parents so they can make an informed choice. While co-sleeping in the same room is relatively safe, co-sleeping in the same bed can be risky, especially if the baby is less than 4 months old, if the parents are smokers, under the influence of drugs or alcohol or are obese. Parents should never co-sleep with a baby if they are too tired or sleep deeply. Some studies have shown an association between co-sleeping and lower total sleep time for babies. Parents who co-sleep with their babies also tend to have more misperceptions about infant sleep. Co-sleeping parents tend to perceive that their babies wake up more often at night compared to babies who sleep alone. Co-sleeping is a complex issue with many factors to consider. Public health recommendations should aim to educate parents about how to co-sleep safely if they choose to do so, instead of just advising against it. Understanding why parents choose co-sleeping and helping them implement risk reduction strategies may be a more effective approach. More research is still needed to explore how families navigate advice about co-sleeping and how their views on co-sleeping evolve over time. In conclusion, while co-sleeping does have some benefits like promoting breastfeeding and parent-infant bonding, there are risks such as SIDS that all new parents should be aware of. The decision to co-sleep with a baby is complex with many health, cultural and individual factors to consider. Educating parents about safe sleep practices and helping them evaluate the pros and cons for their own situation may be a better approach than simply advising against co-sleeping. With the right precautions and risk reduction steps in place, co-sleeping can absolutely be done safely. But ultimately, parents know their own situations best and should make the choice that allows their baby to sleep the safest while meeting family's needs.