18 Benefits And 10 Tips For Co sleeping With Your Baby

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B a s s i n e t , bed o r Moses b a s k e t ? Why c h o o s e them w h e n you c a n make y o u r baby s l e e p along w i t h you i n bed? U n l i k e Western c u l t u r e s , co-sleeping w i t h a b a b y is a c c e p t e d in m a n y other s o c i e t i e s . In f a c t , in s o m e families, n o t co-sleeping w i t h the b a b y is p e r c e i v e d to b e an i r r e s p o n s i b l e act.

T h e r e have b e e n several r e s e a r c h studies o n whether o r not t o make y o u r baby c o – s l e e p with y o u . Read t h i s MomJunction p o s t to k n o w if c o – s l e e p i n g is s a f e for t h e baby a n d if t h e y will b e n e f i t from t h i s practice.

W h a t Is C o – S l e e p i n g With B a b y ?

C o – s l e e p i n g , also r e f e r r e d to a s sleep-sharing, m e a n s to s h a r e a b e d with y o u r child. I n simple w o r d s , co-sleeping i s a n e w b o r n , baby o r a c h i l d sleeping w i t h one o r both t h e parents ( 1 ) . The d i f f e r e n t ways o f co-sleeping a r e :

F a m i l y bed o r bed s h a r i n g : Where o n e or b o t h the p a r e n t s sleep w i t h the c h i l d in t h e same b e d .

D i f f e r e n t beds s a m e room: Here, t h e baby s l e e p s in a crib o r bassinet, o r in t h e same r o o m an a r m ’ s away f r o m the p a r e n t s ’ reach.
Sponsored

S i d e c a r arrangement: The c r i b is a t t a c h e d to o n e side o f the b e d , next t o the m o t h e r . This s i d e can b e removed o r lowered s o that i t is e a s y to b r e a s t f e e d the b a b y . You w i l l also g e t commercial s i d e b a r or c o – s l e e p e r cribs i n the m a r k e t .

B a b y welcomed w h e n needed: The c h i l d is m a d e to s l e e p in h e r bedroom a n d is t a k e n when n e e d e d . Parents u s u a l l y welcome t h e i r babies f o l l o w e d by a night w a k i n g .

B e n e f i t s Of C o – S l e e p i n g With Y o u r Baby

T h o u g h co-sleeping m a y not s u i t every f a m i l y , its a d v a n t a g e s may b e n e f i t your f a m i l y (2).

R e s e a r c h studies r e v e a l b a b i e s are a t a l o w e r risk o f sudden i n f a n t death s y n d r o m e (SIDS) w h e n they s l e e p in t h e same r o o m as p a r e n t s .

I t i m p r o v e s the s l e e p time f o r both m o t h e r and b a b y. There i s no n e e d for y o u to w a k e up, g e t up f r o m the b e d and g o to t h e baby t o feed o r comfort h e r .

Y o u willf a c e fewer b e d t i m e hassles.

Y o u r baby, i f she i s a t o d d l e r , f e e l s secure a n d warm b e s i d e you.

B r e a s t f e e d i n g during n i g h t time i s easier.

I t will d e c r e a s e the c h a n c e s of n i g h t t i m e separation a n x i e t y .

T h e sleep p a t t e r n of b o t h the m o t h e r and t h e baby s y n c s and e n a b l e s c o m f o r t a b l e nursing.

A fussy c h i l d can s l e e p better in t h e night.

A baby c a n fall a s l e e p soon, and g e t back t o sleep q u i c k l y if s h e wakes u p in t h e middle o f the n i g h t .

I t will b e a g r e a t feeling t o wake u p next t o a s m i l i n g and b e a u t i f u l baby.

I n f a n t s go t h r o u g h several f e e l i n g s such t h e warm t o u c h of t h e mother, h e r movement, s m e l l and c o m f o r t that w o u l d help i n their o v e r a l l development.

Y o u will b e able t o monitor t h e baby w e l l d u r i n g illnesses.

Y o u develop a n a t t a c h m e n t with t h e baby.

S u i t s families w i t h l e s s e r space a t home.

H e l p s working m o t h e r s spend m o r e time w i t h their b a b i e s while s l e e p i n g , and g a i n a s e n s e of i n t i m a c y .

T h e r e are n o chances o f the c h i l d falling from t h e bed.

S l e e p – s h a r i n g offers a safer e n v i r o n m e n t for c h i l d r e n , helping t h e m d e v e l o p confidence.

N o t only t h e mothers b u t also t h e fathers w i l l enjoy c o – s l e e p i n g with t h e i r children, a s it l e a d s to a great b o n d i n g time.

W h e n there a r e so m a n y benefits o f co-sleeping, w h y do s o m e families h a v e their b a b i e s sleep s e p a r a t e l y ?

D i s a d v a n t a g e s Of C o – S l e e p i n g With Y o u r Baby:

S o m e parents d o not c h o o s e to c o – s l e e p with t h e i r babies d u e to s o m e potential r i s k s (3):

T h e baby c a n get s t r a n g u l a t e d or s u f f o c a t e d due t o a l a c k of e n o u g h space.

C o – s l e e p i n g is k n o w n to p r o m o t e unhealthy d e p e n d e n c y on t h e parents.

S o m e mothers c o m p l a i n of n o t being a b l e to s l e e p as t h e constant o r sudden m o v e m e n t of t h e child d i s t u r b s their s l e e p pattern.

C o – s l e e p i n g can b e risky if t h e parents h a v e certain i n f e c t i o u s health c o n d i t i o n s .

C o – s l e e p i n g should n o t be p r a c t i c e d if t h e parent i s under a n y heavy m e d i c a t i o n or t h e r a p y .

I f either o r both t h e parents h a v e a h a b i t of s m o k i n g , drug o r alcohol a b u s e , then c o – s l e e p i n g is k n o w n to p o s e severe h e a l t h risks.

O n c e the b a b y is u s e d to s l e e p with t h e parents, i t will b e difficult f o r her t o sleep i n d e p e n d e n t l y at a later p o i n t .

C o n d i t i o n s like s e p a r a t i o n , divorce o r death o f any p a r e n t could l e a v e the c h i l d in a deeply d i s t u r b i n g situation.

T h e couple m a y be d e p r i v e d of i n t i m a c y .

I s Co-sleeping W i t h Your B a b y Safe?

A c c o r d i n g to a research s t u d y , around 7 4 % of t h e SIDS c a s e s occurred i n infants, a g e d up t o four m o n t h s , co-sleeping w i t h their p a r e n t s (4). H o w e v e r , the s t u d y did n o t take i n t o account t h e smoking, d r u g , and d r i n k i n g habits i n parents.

T h e American A c a d e m y of P e d i a t r i c s (AAP) d i s c o u r a g e s parents f r o m sharing t h e bed w i t h their b a b i e s (5).

I f you c h o o s e to c o – s l e e p with y o u r baby, y o u should f o l l o w safety g u i d e l i n e s to a v o i d fatalities.

T i p s For S a f e Co-Sleeping W i t h Baby:

W h e n you w a n t your b a b y to s l e e p with y o u , make s u r e you a r e following t h e s e safety m e a s u r e s :

1 . Make b a b y sleep o n her b a c k :

S l e e p i n g on t h e back l o w e r s the r i s k of S I D S (6). I f you h a v e to n u r s e her w h i l e lying o n the b e d , and y o u r baby i s on t h e side, t r y to g e t her o n the b a c k after s h e finishes f e e d i n g .

2 . Have a n ideal s l e e p surface:

T h e mattress h a s to b e firm w i t h tightly p l a c e d bed s h e e t s on i t . Place o n e pillow, a n d a c o t t o n blanket t h a t does n o t fall o v e r the b a b y ’ s face. D o not u s e a c u s h i o n y bed c o v e r or s h e e p s k i n s . Put y o u r baby s l i g h t l y higher o n the b e d , and y o u sleep a bit l o w e r than h e r .

3 . Check t h e conditions a r o u n d :

T h e r e have b e e n cases o f infants b e i n g squeezed b e t w e e n the m a t t r e s s and a wall o r furniture. P l a c e your b e d away f r o m side f u r n i t u r e , walls, t a b l e s , etc., a n d there s h o u l d be n o gaps. A n ideal p l a c e for t h e bed i s the c e n t e r of t h e room.

4 . Say n o to s m o k i n g and d r i n k i n g :

D o not i n d u l g e in s m o k i n g when y o u are c o – s l e e p i n g with y o u r baby. A l s o , alcohol a n d drugs w i l l make y o u less r e s p o n s i v e , and y o u cannot a t t e n d to y o u r baby. T h e same a p p l i e s to y o u r partner.

5 . Keep i t warm, n o t hot:

C o – s l e e p i n g can i n c r e a s e your b a b y ’ s body t e m p e r a t u r e . Leave h e r head u n c o v e r e d to a v o i d a r a i s e in t h e body t e m p e r a t u r e .

6 . Dress u p well:

D r e s s your b a b y in a proper n i g h t dress. F o r warmth, d r e s s her i n layers. L o n g sleeve d r e s s e s , footie p a n t s , and s l e e p sacks c o u l d help. I n summers, m a k e her w e a r lighter c l o t h e s .

7 . Manage f e e d i n g s :

M a k e a c o n s i s t e n t plan t o regularize t h e feedings. I n i t i a l l y , feed y o u r little o n e at r e g u l a r intervals, a n d gradually s h o r t e n the f e e d i n g s by a minute o r so. Y o u can a l s o ask y o u r partner t o walk y o u r baby a r o u n d the r o o m to s o o t h e her i n s t e a d of f e e d i n g as t h e baby c o u l d wake u p more f r e q u e n t l y when s h e is c o – s l e e p i n g with y o u .

8 . Buy a big b e d :

I f co-sleeping i s a r o u t i n e in y o u r home, c o n s i d e r buying a bigger b e d . The m o r e space y o u will h a v e in b e d , the b e t t e r will b e your s l e e p .

9 . Do n o t co-sleep o n an a r m c h a i r or a sofa:

T h e y are t h e most d a n g e r o u s places t h a t can m a k e you f a l l asleep w i t h the b a b y . Your l i t t l e one c o u l d get s q u e e z e d in b e t w e e n the c u s h i o n s or b e t w e e n you a n d the s i d e s .

1 0 . C p o s i t i o n when s l e e p i n g :

L i e on o n e side f a c i n g your l i t t l e one, a n d curl a r o u n d her. K e e p your l o w e r arm o v e r the b a b y ’ s head a n d bring y o u r knees t o her f e e t . Do n o t keep a n y pillows n e a r the b a b y ’ s head. T h i s is a l s o the b e s t position f o r nursing, a s your b a b y ’ s lying l e v e l along y o u r breasts c a n help h e r take t h e feed c o r r e c t l y .

S o m e parents u s e co-sleeper b a s s i n e t s or s e p a r a t o r s to g i v e babies t h e i r space. T h o u g h these c o n t r a p t i o n s are n o t required, t h e y give p a r e n t s assurance a b o u t their b a b y ’ s safety.

P r o d u c t s For C o – S l e e p i n g :

H e r e are s o m e more p r o d u c t s that y o u can u s e when s h a r i n g your b e d with t h e baby:

B e d s i d e bassinets a n d bedside s l e e p e r s can b e directly a t t a c h e d to t h e main b e d , and a r e open o n one s i d e with b a r r i e r s on a l l the o t h e r three s i d e s .

B e d top c o – s l e e p i n g products prevent t h e baby f r o m rolling a w a y from t h e bed a n d help a b s o r b breastmilk a n d other n i g h t time l e a k s .

I n f a n t enclosures are p l a c e d on t h e adult b e d to p r e v e n t rollover, w e d g i n g and s u f f o c a t i o n .

S i d e rails are f i t t e d on e i t h e r side o f the b e d to p r e v e n t the b a b y from r o l l i n g off t h e bed.

S p e c i a l l y designed s l e e p i n g bags are s e p a r a t e l y available f o r parents a n d babies t o prevent t h e covers f r o m accidentally f a l l i n g over t h e baby’s h e a d .

W h e n To S t o p Co-Sleeping W i t h Your B a b y ?

T r a n s i t i o n i n g your c h i l d from t h e bed t o her s p a c e becomes d i f f i c u l t after s i x months o f age d u e to f i r m l y entrenched h a b i t s and e x p e c t a t i o n s . However, r e g a r d l e s s of t h e age, y o u can t a k e the c a l l depending o n your p r i o r i t i e s .

H o w To T r a n s i t i o n Baby F r o m Co-Sleeping T o Crib?

M o v i n g your b a b y from a n adult b e d to a crib i s tricky. H o w e v e r , certain d e v e l o p m e n t a l changes d u r i n g nine t o 12 m o n t h s help y o u r child b e c o m e independent a n d communicate b e t t e r . Before t h i s stage, s h e is l i k e l y to b e clingy a n d fussy. T h e r e f o r e , you m a y have t o wait u n t i l this s t a g e before y o u move h e r to a crib.

T r y these t r i c k s to s h i f t your b a b y from t h e bed t o the c r i b :

K e e p the b a b y near y o u : Use a bedside s l e e p e r that i s fixed t o your b e d but i s separated f r o m sleeping c l o s e l y . This w a y your b a b y will g e t used t o sleeping i n her s p a c e , while s t i l l being c l o s e to y o u .

G e t the c r i b closer t o her: Instead o f directly p u t t i n g the b a b y from y o u r bed i n her r o o m , get t h e crib i n your b e d r o o m . Put h e r in t h e crib, a n d let h e r get a d j u s t e d to s l e e p i n g in h e r space. Y o u can g r a d u a l l y place t h e crib i n her r o o m .

I n t r o d u c e in s t a g e s : Initially, m a k e your b a b y sleep i n the c r i b for n a p t i m e , and t h e n as t h e days p a s s , make h e r sleep i n the c r i b all t h e time. T h i s way s h e will g e t used t o it c o m p l e t e l y .

M a i n t a i n a r o u t i n e : Your b a b y may o r may n o t be u s e d to a night-time r o u t i n e (a b a t h , a c u d d l e , reading a book o r talking b e f o r e she s l e e p s ) . Stick w i t h the s a m e ritual.

B e around: Once y o u move y o u r baby t o the c r i b , comfort h e r until s h e settles i n completely. S i t beside t h e crib t o comfort h e r , and o n c e she d o z e s off, m o v e away s l o w l y .

M a k e the r o o m special: Sometimes, b a b i e s get u n e a s y sleeping a l o n e . Pick s o m e attractive, b r i g h t colored b e d c o v e r s and d r e s s e s or s l e e p sacks. Y o u can a l s o choose s o m e stuffed s o f t toys a s a t r a n s i t i o n a l object.

C o – s l e e p i n g gives y o u r baby t h e much-needed s e n s e of s e c u r i t y . It h e l p s her s l e e p without f e a r s as y o u r presence i s reassuring f o r her. I t also p r e v e n t s her f r o m wetting t h e bed. F o l l o w a f e w safety m e a s u r e s , and y o u need n o t worry a b o u t sharing y o u r bed w i t h the b a b y .

T e l l us w h a t you t h i n k about c o – s l e e p i n g in t h e comment s e c t i o n below.

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