Bedsharing and bassinets: 2 new studies assess the risks

Bassinet use in 2006 was nearly double what it was in 1992, and even though more than 45% of infants between the ages of 0-2 months use them, little is known about bassinet safety. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has guidelines regarding bassinet construction, but there are no government safety standards for bassinets. In 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its recommendations for a safe infant sleep environment, suggesting a separate but nearby sleeping arrangement (i.e. roomsharing without bedsharing). Two studies soon to be published in The Journal of Pediatrics evaluate the frequency of bedsharing and the potential risk factors of bassinet use.