Content

• Steps
• Warning

Sleeping with babies is a controversial issue, with experts and parents making many arguments for and against it. If you choose to share a bed with your baby, make sure you have full knowledge of the safest measures. Please note that "co-sleeping" can be bed-sharing or room-sharing (with a baby in a crib or a "crib" next to the bed), the latter being mentioned more by experts. The following article focuses on sharing a bed with your baby.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Consider the risks

1. 

   Admittedly, experts do not recommend co-sleeping. Many studies show that sleeping together increases the risk of injury, asphyxiation, death from other causes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is important to understand that there is no really clear solution to mitigate these risks, even if you try to think optimally about safe sleep patterns.
   • Most pediatricians recommend sharing a room rather than sharing a bed.

2. 

   
   
   Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of sleeping with your baby. Many pediatricians have a strong opinion about sleeping with children. Some doctors firmly believe in the benefits of co-sleeping for both parents and babies, so support this. Others may not share your excitement and advise you not to do it.
   • Regardless of your personal opinion, ask your doctor for arguments for and against sleeping with a newborn, as well as advice for safe sleep.

3. 

   
   
   Study this issue. The internet provides enormous amounts of information about sleeping together, some based on guesswork, incorrect assumptions and fabrications. Look for authentic, scientific studies on this topic.
   • The websites of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other hospital websites often provide helpful parenting information.
   • Go to the library near your home to find written material about sleeping practice with your child. Search in the parent materials area and select books written by multiple authors. Choose medical books as well as books written by parent authors, which often provide a wealth of personal experience.

4. 

   
   
   Understand that when a child sleeps in the same bed, some parents don't get as much sleep as their child isn't there. Although it is easier for many parents to sleep with their baby, thus getting better sleep, others experience anxiety about sleeping with their newborn. Fear of hurting a child can keep parents from sleeping.
   • In addition, many parents become sensitive to any child's movements, so they often wake up when their babies cry and whimper.
5. Don't forget to train your child to give up the habit. If you let your baby sleep with you, you will have to help them break the habit, which is very difficult for them. advertisement

Part 2 of 5: Consider the benefits

1. 

   Know that your baby can feel comfortable and safe while sleeping with their parents. So, the baby can sleep better all night.
   • Many babies find it difficult to regulate their sleep cycles, and during the first few days after birth, parents find that they wake up at night and sleep during the day. Co-sleeping can be an effective way to help parents regulate their child's sleep / wake cycle.

2. 

   Consider if you can get extra sleep if your baby sleeps beside you. Both parents can be exhausted after their baby is born. Waking up to serve each time your baby cries will only aggravate this situation.
   • Putting your baby to sleep means you don't have to get out of bed and fumble in the dark to serve your baby when they cry.

3. 

   Think about whether there's an easier way to feed your baby at night. Think that it is easier for a mother to take naps and rest if she is lying next to her at night to breastfeed.
   • Breastfed babies can ask for food as often as every 1.5 hours. Simply changing the lying position and feeding an hungry baby is much easier than having to get out of bed every two hours to serve the baby.

4. 

   Think about the emotional benefits that co-sleeping can provide for your child. Your baby may feel more secure sleeping next to you. Therefore, the baby will be less stressed than sleeping in the crib.

5. 

   Understand the long-term effects and benefits of co-sleeping on your baby. Although co-sleeping is not common, many doctors and mental health experts believe that babies who sleep with their parents develop higher self-confidence and self-esteem than children who do not sleep with their parents. advertisement

Part 3 of 5: Knowing when not to sleep together

1. 

   Do not sleep with your baby when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Your sleep may be affected and you cannot be conscious of your child's existence.

2. 

   Do not sleep with your baby if you or family members smoke. There is a link between the risk of sudden death in children and parental smoking.

3. 

   Do not allow children or toddlers to sleep with infants. Babies are not aware of their existence when they sleep. Even a toddler can cause suffocation in a newborn if pressed on top of the baby while sleeping.

4. 

   Do not let your baby sleep alone in your bed. Infants should never sleep in an adult bed without an adult present. Even the smallest newborn baby can crawl to the side of the bed and fall or suffocate on soft sheets, pillows or blankets.

5. 

   Don't sleep next to your baby if you are exhausted from sleeplessness. Deep sleep can make it harder to tell when a baby is wiggling.
   • Only you understand how well you are in harmony with your baby at night and whether you are a deep or shallow sleeper. If you have any problems with your child's perception of presence during the night, you should not sleep with him.

6. 

   Don't sleep with your baby if you are overweight, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea. Obesity is believed to be the cause of sleep apnea, which increases the risk of suffocating your baby when you sleep restlessly. advertisement

Part 4 of 5: Bedroom preparation

1. 

   Protect the bedroom from before. Treat the room as a newborn baby care area and correct any safety concerns as needed.
   • If your bed is placed near a window, be sure to wash the curtains to remove any lingering dirt. If the bed is placed under a ventilator, consider moving to a different location in the room so that the baby is not directly affected by this airflow during sleep.

2. 

   Get your bed ready. Before placing your baby in your bed, make the necessary changes to ensure your child's safety and comfort are a priority. You also need to change your sleeping position.
   • Consider the size of the bed. Is the bed large enough for parents and babies to sleep comfortably? Trying to put your baby to sleep with the bed is not big enough will be dangerous.
   • Hard mattress should be used for the safety of the child. Infants are very susceptible to sudden infant death (SIDS), lack of free air circulation is considered a risk factor. A mattress that is too soft can create a bag that captures the air exhaled by the child, and causes the child to re-inhale that air instead of oxygen.
   • Do not let your child sleep on the water cushion.
   • Buy bed sheets that fit snugly against the mattress. Sheets should always fit snugly against the mattress to avoid wrinkles. Make sure the corners of the sheets are firmly secured to the mattress to avoid the risk of it slipping. You should also pay attention to the quality of your sheets as the rough fabric can irritate your child's sensitive skin.
   • Think about removing the headboard or the end of the bed as there is a chance the child will get stuck in it.
   • Consider the blanket you'll use to sleep on. Avoid large blankets or other bedding that can easily choke a baby's neck or choke his crying. It is best to apply thin layers of fabric instead of blankets.

3. 

   Put the bed in a firm position. Again, make the necessary changes to accommodate and prioritize your child's safety.
   • Lower the bed or place the mattress on the floor. Accidents can happen, and it's the easiest way to prevent your child from getting hurt by falling from the bed.
   • Push the edge of the bed as close to the wall as possible to prevent the baby from falling off the bed.If there is a gap between the bed and the wall, roll the blanket or towel tightly and fill the gap.
   • Consider buying a bed guard to prevent an infant from falling out of bed. Do not use railings designed for older toddlers as they can be dangerous to infants.
   • Put an extra velvet mat or yoga mat next to your bed to reduce injury to your child in the event of a fall.
   • Check the area around the bed. Make sure there are no draperies or cords that could potentially entangle your baby. Check if there is a wall outlet close to the bed. Consider using a safety cover to cover the socket.
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Part 5 of 5: Taking precautions while sleeping

1. 

   Check again to make sure the area around the bed is safe. Remove pillows, stuffed animals, or pillows from your bed. The items in bed should be absolutely essential for a safe and comfortable sleep.

2. 

   Consider placing the baby between the mother and a protected surface such as a wall or barrier. Mothers often instinctively recognize a baby's presence better while sleeping. It is safer to put the child in that position instead of between the parents.

3. 

   Put your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the child's risk of sudden death syndrome. The "Backstroke is best" campaign has significantly reduced sudden infant deaths over the past few years.

4. 

   Avoid using anything to cover the baby's head while sleeping. Do not put on a sleeping cap for the child, as it could be pulled down over the child's face. You should also pay attention to blankets, pillows, and other objects that can cover your child's face. Babies cannot push obstacles in their airways.

5. 

   Do not wear too much for the child. Remember that your child may need less clothes because body heat is transferred from person to person. Children usually don't need covers to stay warm like adults.

6. 

   Eliminate any potential hazards or distractions from your body. In general, the less distance between you and the child the better. This will make breastfeeding simpler and strengthen the bond between you and the baby.
   • Wear clothes that have no straps, ties or laces that could entangle your baby while you sleep. Necklace or other jewelry can also be potentially risky, so make the most of it.
   • Avoid using body lotions, deodorants, or perfumed hair products, which can detract from the mother's natural scent. Children will instinctively be attracted to your natural smell. What's more, these products can irritate a child's tiny nostrils.
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Warning

• Talk to your healthcare professional about co-sleeping if you or your child has a health problem that jeopardizes safe sleeping with your baby.