A new study linking sleep-related deaths of babies to bed-sharing and rolling into objects in the crib was co-written by a Kansas University researcher.

“We’re hopeful the study will get parents thinking about the safe sleeping environment,” said Vicki Collie-Akers, an assistant research professor in KU’s Work Group for Community Health and Development.

The lead author in the study is Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, with the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. The study was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics and was getting national attention.

The researchers looked at data of more than 8,200 infant deaths from 2004 through 2012 from 24 states. Of those 3 months old and younger, 73.8 percent were sharing a bed.

Among babies that had died between the ages of 4 months and one year, the major risk factor was rolling into objects, such as a pillow or stuffed animal, in their sleep space.

Collie-Akers said sometimes when babies get a little older, parents forget to keep the sleep area clear of objects.

While proponents of bed-sharing say babies have more peaceful sleep when they co-sleep, researchers said the study adds to growing evidence that there are clear risks to bed-sharing.