As a new parent, you want to make sure your baby is safe, sound and sleeping comfortably. Often one is faced with the decision of whether to have baby sleep in your bed with you or to move baby into their own cot or even into their own room.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what co-sleeping is, how to safely co-sleep with your baby and the benefits of co-sleeping . Read on to learn more!
What is co-sleeping ?
Co-sleeping is when you and your baby sleep in the same bed. It can be a great way to bond with your baby and get some much-needed rest, but it’s important to do it safely.
Keep in mind: the decision on where your child sleeps is ultimately yours, or yours and your partner’s if applicable; single parents will need to make this determination solely. Before arriving at a conclusion, consider the advantages and disadvantages of any changes you are thinking of making.
It is commonly thought that having a dedicated space for children to sleep in, is necessary for them to get the rest they need. However, children can sleep just fine wherever is suitable for the family. What is important though, if bed-sharing or co-sleeping are adopted, is to ensure safety above all else; research has determined a link between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and infants sleeping with their parents.
How to safely co-sleep ?
It is essential to create a safe sleeping environment for your infant and to make sure the risks are minimized. It’s important to use safe bedding, check that your mattress is suitable, and check that pillows and duvets are kept away from your baby.
Put your baby on their back to sleep.
Never co-sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.
For new-borns the safest option is to use a co-sleeper. But once your baby can sit up at around 5 months this is no longer a safe option as the open sides of the co-sleeper are quite low and your baby is top heavy. If your baby looks over the side of the co-sleeper she can fall out. It’s also the reason why you should move your cot to a lower level at around the same time.
Once your baby becomes more mobile, between 5 and 8 months, it’s advisable for them to sleep on a mattress or a very low bed, as adult beds are not designed with their safety in mind and there is still a potential risk of them falling out.
Ensure your mattress is firm and inspect the headboard, footboard, and sides for any cracks or openings into which your baby could get trapped.
If you are breastfeeding, make sure you have a good latch and position your baby so they can’t roll onto their stomach.
Don’t overload the bed with too many items. Too much furniture and other items in a bedroom can make the room cramped and uncomfortable. Avoid this by restricting the number of things on the bed.
Co-sleeping is not a safe practice when there are other children or pets involved. Those who are not responsible for the care of an infant should not be in the same bed as them.
It’s important that your partner is aware of any decisions to have a baby in your bed. Co-sleeping should be both parents’ responsibility, viewing each other as primary caregivers.
If you’ve taken sedatives, medication, drugs or alcohol, co-sleeping with your baby is not recommended.
The benefits of co-sleeping
Sharing a bed with your baby can be a wonderful experience. It can create an incredibly strong bond and help you both get more sleep as well as many other benefits such as :
Makes breastfeeding easier: Breastfeeding is much easier when you and your baby are close together, as it allows you to easily nurse while you’re sleeping.
Promotes bonding: Co-sleeping helps create a strong bond between parent and baby, as it provides more physical contact and skin-to-skin time.
Helps with separation anxiety: Babies who co-sleep may experience less separation anxiety, as they’re used to being close to their parents for comfort at night.
Easier night time feedings: If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night for a feeding, co-sleeping can make it much easier for you both to get back to sleep quickly without having to get out of bed or turn on any lights.
Supports healthy sleep habits: Co-sleeping can help babies develop healthy sleep habits, such as self-soothing and falling asleep faster on their own.
Conclusion
In summary it is of the upmost important that your decisions are beneficial for the balance of the entire family and your mental well being . Remember that a tired and exhausted mommy cannot provide the optimal care for her baby.
Guide to safe co-sleeping with your baby
As a new parent, you want to make sure your baby is safe, sound and sleeping comfortably. Often one is faced with the decision of whether to have baby sleep in your bed with you or to move baby into their own cot or even into their own room.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what co-sleeping is, how to safely co-sleep with your baby and the benefits of co-sleeping . Read on to learn more!
What is co-sleeping ?
Co-sleeping is when you and your baby sleep in the same bed. It can be a great way to bond with your baby and get some much-needed rest, but it’s important to do it safely.
Keep in mind: the decision on where your child sleeps is ultimately yours, or yours and your partner’s if applicable; single parents will need to make this determination solely. Before arriving at a conclusion, consider the advantages and disadvantages of any changes you are thinking of making.
It is commonly thought that having a dedicated space for children to sleep in, is necessary for them to get the rest they need. However, children can sleep just fine wherever is suitable for the family. What is important though, if bed-sharing or co-sleeping are adopted, is to ensure safety above all else; research has determined a link between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and infants sleeping with their parents.
How to safely co-sleep ?
It is essential to create a safe sleeping environment for your infant and to make sure the risks are minimized. It’s important to use safe bedding, check that your mattress is suitable, and check that pillows and duvets are kept away from your baby.
Put your baby on their back to sleep.
Never co-sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.
For new-borns the safest option is to use a co-sleeper. But once your baby can sit up at around 5 months this is no longer a safe option as the open sides of the co-sleeper are quite low and your baby is top heavy. If your baby looks over the side of the co-sleeper she can fall out. It’s also the reason why you should move your cot to a lower level at around the same time.
Once your baby becomes more mobile, between 5 and 8 months, it’s advisable for them to sleep on a mattress or a very low bed, as adult beds are not designed with their safety in mind and there is still a potential risk of them falling out.
Ensure your mattress is firm and inspect the headboard, footboard, and sides for any cracks or openings into which your baby could get trapped.
If you are breastfeeding, make sure you have a good latch and position your baby so they can’t roll onto their stomach.
Don’t overload the bed with too many items. Too much furniture and other items in a bedroom can make the room cramped and uncomfortable. Avoid this by restricting the number of things on the bed.
Co-sleeping is not a safe practice when there are other children or pets involved. Those who are not responsible for the care of an infant should not be in the same bed as them.
It’s important that your partner is aware of any decisions to have a baby in your bed. Co-sleeping should be both parents’ responsibility, viewing each other as primary caregivers.
If you’ve taken sedatives, medication, drugs or alcohol, co-sleeping with your baby is not recommended.
The benefits of co-sleeping
Sharing a bed with your baby can be a wonderful experience. It can create an incredibly strong bond and help you both get more sleep as well as many other benefits such as :
Makes breastfeeding easier: Breastfeeding is much easier when you and your baby are close together, as it allows you to easily nurse while you’re sleeping.
Promotes bonding: Co-sleeping helps create a strong bond between parent and baby, as it provides more physical contact and skin-to-skin time.
Helps with separation anxiety: Babies who co-sleep may experience less separation anxiety, as they’re used to being close to their parents for comfort at night.
Easier night time feedings: If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night for a feeding, co-sleeping can make it much easier for you both to get back to sleep quickly without having to get out of bed or turn on any lights.
Supports healthy sleep habits: Co-sleeping can help babies develop healthy sleep habits, such as self-soothing and falling asleep faster on their own.
Conclusion
In summary it is of the upmost important that your decisions are beneficial for the balance of the entire family and your mental well being . Remember that a tired and exhausted mommy cannot provide the optimal care for her baby.
