Which action would be appropriate for the nurse when providing information to a mother about infant safety?

Advising against co-sleeping with the infant is crucial for promoting infant safety. Co-sleeping, or sharing a bed with the baby, has been associated with an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation. Parents may not realize that the presence of soft bedding or the weight of an adult can pose suffocation hazards for an infant.

By discouraging co-sleeping, the nurse is helping to establish safer sleep practices that align with guidelines from health organizations, which recommend that infants sleep on their backs in a separate but nearby sleep space, such as a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards. This intervention is a key component of educating parents about creating a secure sleeping environment for their newborns.