Stats discourage sharing bed with baby

November 11, 2009 An investigation in Texas by the child protective services is revealing that 160 babies die each year from suffocation of strangulation while sleeping with family members.

And a Dallas Morning News analysis shows that Saturday is the deadliest night by far, leading doctors to suspect that parent's alcohol use plays a role.

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have cautioned against bed-sharing with infants because of studies linking co-sleeping with sudden infant death syndrome. Still, many parents across the country believe that they and the baby get more rest when sharing a bed.

Pediatricians say babies are always safest sleeping in their own bed.