Mia
We’re all trying to figure out what sleeping arrangements will provide us with the most rest while keeping our infant secure. However, if your infant only sleeps while cuddled up next to you, you’re in for a long night and some problematic options.
Co-sleeping with your infant has been a parenting technique for as long as humans have had babies. Societies throughout the globe maintain infants within arm’s reach while sleeping, perhaps in a family bed, a bassinet from Baby Hood Online, or other separate sleeping areas.
However, co-sleeping has both advantages and disadvantages and possible hazards, so it’s not a choice to be made lightly. Are you considering adopting the idea of a family bed? All you need to know about co-sleeping with a baby is right here.
What Does Co-Sleeping Mean?
Co-sleeping is the habit of sleeping in the same bedroom with the infant within arm’s reach. It may be done in various ways, such as putting your baby’s bassinet in your room, utilizing a co-sleeper or grabcar linked to your bed, or lying with your baby in your bed. Moreover, co-sleeping is popular among parents because it keeps their newborn near, making overnight care and nursing more effective while also providing closeness, connection, and bonding.
How Safe Co-Sleeping Can Help Your Baby
Many parents think that co-sleeping or sleep-sharing offers several benefits. According to co-sleeping advocates and the American Academy of Pediatrics, sleeping in the same room alongside your baby lessens the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Aside from that, here are some reasons why co-sleeping is helpful to your baby.
- It supports breastfeeding by making nighttime feedings more convenient, less disturbing, and more attainable.
- Co-sleeping may provide psychological advantages, such as improved parental emotional management and feelings of connectedness to their infant, and decreased stress levels for newborns.
- Co-sleeping parents described being more rested.
- Co-sleeping babies may fall asleep sooner and remain asleep longer.
- Co-sleeping provides physiological advantages for the newborns, such as synchronizing their breathing to the adult’s and regulating their body temperature.
- Babies who co-sleep develop better emotional bonds with their parents and other individuals.
Tips to Consider for a Safe Co-Sleeping
Sharing a sleeping area with your infant still puts them at a greater risk of sleep-related infant death than having them sleep apart from you. With that in mind, take into consideration the following tips for safer co-sleeping:
Make Use of Bed Rails.
Utilize bed rails to prevent the baby from falling off the bed, and make sure there is no gap between the mattress and the wall.
Examine Your Sleep Level.
Some individuals sleep lightly, while others can sleep through something. Parents must be aware of their own attentiveness to their baby. Your child should be able to wake you up with little noise or motion. If you find yourself sleeping so deeply that you only wake up when your baby cries, try transferring the baby out of your bed, maybe into a “sidecar” setup with the baby’s bassinet or cradle right alongside your bed.
Take Into Account Your Bed Option.
Select a big mattress to provide enough space and comfort for everyone. The ideal alternative is to position the bed on the floor, ensuring sure there are no spaces in which your kid may get entrapped in. Moreover, the surface of your mattress should be level, firm, and smooth. Allowing a baby to sleep on a soft surface such as a beanbag chair, pillowtop bed, or any other elastic and bending structure is not recommended.
Childproof Your Space.
Make sure your baby’s bedroom and any other rooms they may have entered are childproof. A barrier must be built at the top of the stairway if you sleep upstairs. Your baby might crawl out of bed while you rest one day to explore the home.
Consider The Gaps.
If your mattress is near a wall or other furniture, ensure there is no gap between the mattress and the wall or furniture where your infant may get trapped.
Keep Sheets Safe.
Check that your fitted sheets are securely fastened and cannot be pulled away. Loose bedding might cause suffocation in your baby.
Abstain From Drugs and Alcohol.
If you’ve been drinking alcohol, using drugs or sedative medicines, are a particularly sound sleeper, or are struggling from sleeplessness and struggling to wake up, never sleep with your baby.
Eliminate Pillows and Blankets.
When sleeping with a baby, remove any pillows or blankets that might suffocate the baby. Make sure that your baby and yourself are dressed comfortably for sleeping. Bear in mind that your baby’s body heat will add warmth throughout the night, so make sure that they do not end up feeling hot.
Stop Using Strong Scents.
Strong-smelling fragrances or lotions may irritate your baby’s sensitive senses.
Keep Pets Away from the Bed.
While you may be able to implement all of these recommendations, your pet will not. It’s recommended to keep dogs away from the bed you share with your infant. If your pet refuses to listen, it’s time to think about an alternate sleeping arrangement for your youngster.
Put on Simple Pajamas.
Avoid wearing rompers with strings or long ribbons. Also, don’t wear jewels to bed, and if you have long hair, tie it up. Again, these precautions ensure that nothing interferes with your baby’s breathing.
If co-sleeping is a good match for your family, embrace it like a baby cuddling his mother. Just make sure to evaluate your condition and reestablish your space if it’s giving you stress or leading you to sacrifices.
