Is It Safe to Co-sleep With a Baby?

Becoming a parent for the first time is an overwhelming experience for anyone. But it also comes with several responsibilities. You have to make decisions that are good for your baby. You have to keep them safe and healthy. And since it is the first time, you try to be more careful and nervous.

 

One of the common questions that often disturbs new parents is co-sleeping. People have different opinions on this. While doctors suggest that it is not safe for your baby, many parents believe the opposite. But whom should you believe?

In this article, we will try to analyze whether co-sleeping is safe for your baby or not. 

So let us get started.

What Is Co-sleeping?

Co-sleeping means sleeping with your child. It doesn’t necessarily mean hearing a bed but to stay nearby.  

There are different ways you can co-sleep with your child. 

• Sharing bed
• Sleeping in the same room
• Crib arrangement

Bonus Tip- You can share the room with your baby with different baby co sleeper available on the market. Visit the babyhood website now to get one for your infant. 

• Sharing Bed

Many parents like to share the bed with their babies. It might sound tempting as you won’t have to wake up at midnight when your child cries. Also, it is easy for mothers to breastfeed them.

But is it safe to co-sleep with your baby? No, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC, sharing a bed with a child under one year is dangerous. It increases the risk of strangling, suffocating, or hurting the baby. 

While sleeping, people tend to forget that they are sharing the bed with the baby. This can be dangerous for the infant. 

And therefore, it is highly recommended not to sleep with your kid on the same bed. 

• Sleeping With Baby on Chest

Sometimes you might think of taking a nap while your baby is sleeping on your chest. No matter how short a nap you are planning to take, it is not safe. 

You can drop the baby or crush them under your body weight. 

• Sharing A Bedroom with Baby

You can also think of sharing the same room with the baby. And it is safe. You can put the baby in a certified crib or bassinet. In this way, you can sleep with your baby in the same room and tender them when they need you. And also eliminate the risk of sharing the bed and hurting them. 

• Breastfeeding In Bed

When you are tired, it is safe to breastfeed the baby on the bed. But there are several precautions you have to take. 

• Don’t sleep while feeding the child.
• Keep correcting their body posture to ensure they can breathe properly.
• Remove a blanket or pillow from the bed to create a safe room for your child. 
• If you feel like you cannot hold back your sleep, place the baby in their crib. 

It Safe to Co-sleep With Your Child?

To understand whether it is safe for you to co-sleep with your baby or not you have to understand the difference between bed-sharing and co-sleeping. 

It is dangerous for you to share the same but with the child because you can unconsciously hurt them while sleeping. Especially when your child is less than one year old. 

You should also not share the bed with your child if you or your partner smokes, drinks alcohol, or takes drugs. Other factors that can increase the risk of SUDIs (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) are:

• One of the parents is unwell.
• You or your partner is taking heavy-dose medications.
• Your baby is not well.
• And if they are less than six months old. 

But it is safe to co-sleep with the baby if you are not sharing the same bed. 

You can place the baby next to your bed in the bassinet or crib. It can ensure the safety of the baby as they are just a few steps away from you. You can take care of them easily when they wake up at midnight. 

Also sharing the room with your baby is good for their development. It can help them to respond to the sensory signals and build a good relationship with their parents or caregiver. 

Co-sleeping can also help parents to feed their babies with ease. Sleeping in the close-proximity ensures healthy breastfeeding.

Also sleeping with the baby in the same room decreases the risk of SIDS. It also has them avoid separation and anxiety. 

Dos And Don’ts While Co-Sleeping with Your Child

Here are a few practices you can follow or avoid to ensure safe co-sleeping with the baby.

Dos 

• Place the baby on this back.
• Choose a firm mattress for your baby for better posture. 
• There should be no gap between the crib or bassinet and your bed for safety purposes. 
• Create a safe zone for the baby while breastfeeding on the bed by removing any mattress or pillow. Also, if you have long hair or wear anything, remove it as it can strangle the baby. 
• Don’t place anything on the crib. Remove the toys, bottles, or anything else before you place the child. 
• You can share the bed with the baby if you are a light sleeper. 

Dont’s

• Don’t share the bed with the baby.
• Never sleep on the couch, sofa, or armchair with the baby. 
• Never place the baby between two adults. 
• Don’t let your other kid or pet sleep in the same bed with the infant.
• Keep the pillow or blanket away from the baby.
• Never use a soft mattress for the child. 

Bottomline 

 According to a survey, around 61% of Americans practice co-sleeping. It is not unsafe if you practice preventive measures and don’t share the same bed. 

Additionally, co-sleeping has several benefits for the baby and the parents. The baby plays by sleeping next to the parents and the parents can have an easy night by having their child close to them. 

In the end, it is always your choice to co-sleep with the baby.