If the baby shares your bed, he may become too hot or covered with bedclothes. Bed sharing is increasingly popular.
Some experts believe it helps parents bond with their infants more easily.
Strong backing for bed sharing comes from American researchers, who filmed mothers and babies in bed and who concluded that sharing protects infants against cot death. According to another study, bed sharing for the whole night increases risk only if the mother smokes or has been drinking. Special bedside cots are available from John Lewis and Mothercare. Avoid duvets and, to prevent baby wriggling beneath covers, place feet at end of cot and covers no higher than shoulders. Overheating can be compounded by overwrapping.