"Our only daughter, Alexis Claire Martin, died of SIDS at the age of 6-1/2 weeks. She fell asleep by my side and never woke up. Her cradle, placed next to my bed, was where Alexis slept most of the time. That night, she was extremely fussy, so my husband slept in the other room. I was a little concerned she had a bad tummy ache, so I wanted her close to me. I fed her and laid her to rest on her back, right by my side. It was my responsibility to care for her and most of all, to protect her. I had heard of SIDS and the risk factors associated with SIDS, and at no time did I even consider that placing my daughter at my side could be dangerous or risky. I would never put my daughter in harm’s way-there were no pillows, excess blankets, stuffed animals or toys, just my daughter and me. I will never know if my motherly instinct, wanting to have my baby close to me, may have increased the risk of SIDS taking the life of my precious daughter, Alexis Claire. When my twins were born, the following year, after the late night feedings, exhausted, I would carry both of them back to their cribs to sleep, on their backs. I would stand watch over them, poking them gently if I couldn’t see their tummies moving up and down with every breath. The first year, I worried that they would die during their sleep, on my watch, and under my care. If I had to give advice to a new parent, I’d recommend room sharing and not bed sharing, just to be extra safe!"