Never, Ever Leave a Baby Alone on a Bed

Why You Should Never Leave a Baby Unattended

I have few "rules" for parents, but this is one of them: Never leave your baby unattended on an adult bed...even if she is just two weeks old ... even if she has never rolled before ... even if you will only be away for a second!

The Consequences of Leaving a Baby Unattended on a Bed

Five-month-old Martin and his parents were on a long-awaited vacation. Maja and Dimitri had rented a room in a rustic old inn. It was high on a hill with views over the town, it had high ceilings and a beautiful stone floor.

As the family unpacked their bags, they placed Martin in the middle of the huge bed and turned their backs for a few seconds. Suddenly, there was a thud and a scream. Martin had rolled off the bed and fallen—head first—onto the stone pavers.

Feeling terrified and guilty, they spent all night in an ER with their baby. They had to rely on unknown doctors, and Martin got blood tests and brain scans. Martin suffered a huge blood blister under his skin, but fortunately, there was no fracture or bleeding inside the brain.

I have seen many, many babies in my office who fell off their parents’ beds. And, unfortunately, not all of them were as lucky as Martin.

What to Do If You’re Tempted to Leave Your Baby Unattended

In the rush of life, we sometimes get a sense of false security if we take a risk for a brief moment, things will be okay. Leaving your baby alone on a bed—or a changing table—is too big a risk to take. Your baby is much safer on the floor. Just lay down a towel or a blanket, but just make sure your little one is not near any wires, cords or other hazards.

Can I Leave My Newborn While I Shower?

You need to take care of yourself, too, so it’s reasonable that you may need to briefly leave your baby unattended to take a quick shower. But you’ll need to think carefully about where you are leaving your baby and make sure that they are safe. This is where SNOO can really step in as a virtual extra pair of hands! Because SNOO has a unique swaddle that secures babies on the back, you can feel confident that your baby won’t roll into a risky position.

If you don’t have SNOO, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind before leaving a baby unattended:

• Never leave your baby on a raised surface like a hotel bed, chair, sofa, or countertop.
• Set your baby on a flat surface, where any dangerous items (like cords) are out of reach. 
• Bring your newborn into the bathroom so you can hear and see your baby. 
• Do not leave a baby unattended in a car seat, an inclined sleeper, or swing.
• Once your baby is mobile, consider using a playpen to keep your baby contained to one safe place. 

When Can I Leave My Baby Unattended?

It can be exhausting feeling constantly tethered to your little one, and even a 5-minute shower or a quick trick to the bathroom can feel like a challenge. However, while your baby is so small and vulnerable, it’s important that you do not leave them unattended for long stretches of time...but when you do leave, you follow the tips above to make sure that your little one is safe.

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.