Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 5: Think About the Risks
• Part 2 of 5: Benefits
• Part 3 of 5: When to Stop Sleeping Together
• Part 4 of 5: Prepare the room
• Part 5 of 5: Take Precautions
• Warnings

Sleeping with a newborn baby is a controversial topic. Both experts and parents have arguments for and against. If you do decide to sleep with your baby, make sure it is safe. Note that “sleeping with a newborn” can mean “sharing a bed with him” or “sleeping on a bed with a baby's crib next to it” (the latter is more common). This article explains how to sleep in the same bed with your baby.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Think About the Risks

1. 1 Accept the fact that sleeping with your baby in the same bed is not recommended. Many studies show that sleeping together increases the risk of injury, suffocation, and other death. It is important to understand that there is no way to completely get rid of these risks, even if you are trying to somehow adjust to this situation so that it is safer for the child.
   • Most pediatricians recommend sleeping with your baby in the same room rather than in the same bed.
2. 2 Talk to your pediatrician to understand the pros and cons of sleeping together. Many pediatricians have different opinions about sleeping with a newborn. Some doctors strongly believe in the benefits of sleeping together for children and parents, and therefore advocate such sleep. Others do not share this opinion and will strongly oppose it.
   • Regardless of the doctor's personal opinion, ask him / her to tell you the facts about the benefits and disadvantages of sleeping with a newborn, and ask for advice on how to keep your baby safe.
3. 3 Find information online. There is a wealth of information on the Internet about sleeping with a child, but some articles are based on hypothesis, false assumptions and speculation. Find good scientific articles that build on research on the topic.
   • On the site http://pediatrino.ru/ and other sites dedicated to medicine, there is a lot of useful information for parents.
   • Go to the library and find literature about sleeping with your child. Look for books in the parenting section and collect books from different authors. Choose medical books, as well as books written by moms - they write based on their experience.
4. 4 Understand that many parents do not get enough sleep, whether their newborn baby sleeps with them in the same bed or not. But many parents find sleeping with their baby more comforting, and therefore the quality of sleep may be better. Some parents become anxious and anxious when they have to sleep in the same bed with their child. Concerns about the child's safety interfere with their restful sleep.
   • In addition, many parents find that they are awakened by every child's movement and every sound.
5. 5Keep in mind that if you teach your child to sleep in the same bed with you, then you will have to teach him to sleep separately from you, and this will be a difficult moment for the child.

Part 2 of 5: Benefits

1. 1 Your child may feel safe when parents sleep with him. Thus, it is more likely that he will sleep well through the night.
   • In the first few days after birth, it is difficult to regulate the baby's daily routine and sleep at night. Many parents are faced with the fact that the child is awake at night and sleeps a lot during the day. Sleeping with your baby can help parents regulate their baby's sleep and wakefulness.
2. 2 Think about whether you can sleep well if your baby sleeps next to you. Both mom and dad are likely to get tired and exhausted in the first time after the birth of the child. At night, the child constantly wakes up, besides, he screams all the time - this adds even more difficulties.
   • Sleeping with your child means that you don't have to jump out of bed at night and stumble in the dark when the child screams.
3. 3 Consider if this will make it easier to feed your baby at night. Think how much easier it will be for you, as a young mother, to relax in the early morning if the child just lies there.
   • Babies often eat - almost every 1.5 hours. If you have the opportunity to simply roll over on the other side and offer the breast to a hungry baby, it will be much easier than jumping out of bed every 1.5-2 hours to feed the baby.
4. 4 Consider the possible emotional benefits of sleeping with your newborn baby. Your baby may feel safe if he sleeps next to you. That is why he will sleep better in your bed than in a crib.
5. 5 Consider the beneficial effects of sleeping with parents at night on children. While most professionals oppose it, many doctors and mental health professionals believe it will help a child feel calmer and more confident than a child who has never slept next to their parents.

Part 3 of 5: When to Stop Sleeping Together

1. 1 Never go to bed with your child if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sleeping together can greatly affect your child's condition and even harm him.
2. 2 Refrain from sleeping with your child if you or someone else in the family smokes. Studies have shown that the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is significantly increased if the child's parents smoke.
3. 3 Do not allow older children to sleep next to your baby. It is difficult for children to be aware of the presence of the baby when they are sleeping. Even a small child can accidentally harm a baby if he just rolls over him in a dream.
4. 4 Don't leave your little one sleeping in your bed alone. Children cannot sleep in adults' beds without the adults themselves. Even a small child can accidentally roll over and fall off the edge of the bed. In addition, he may suffocate when entangled in bed linen (sheets, pillows, and a blanket).
5. 5 Avoid sleeping next to your baby if you are depleted from stress and lack of sleep. In deep sleep, you most likely will not react to every movement of the child.
   • Only you know how your child behaves during the night and how deeply you sleep. If you are not sure whether you can be aware of the presence of the baby nearby in a dream, it is better to refuse to sleep together.
6. 6 Avoid sleeping with your baby if you are overweight, especially if you have apnea (stopping breathing for a short time). Obesity is directly related to sleep apnea, which increases the risk of suffocation during restless sleep.

Part 4 of 5: Prepare the room

1. 1 Prepare your sleeping place in advance. Prepare the room so that the new sleeping area is comfortable and safe for your child.
   • If the bed is near a window, be sure to wash the curtains to get rid of any dust and debris that may have accumulated in the fabric. If the bed is under ceiling ventilation, consider rearranging it to prevent the child from catching a cold from the draft while sleeping.
2. 2 Prepare your bed. Before you put your child to bed, you must take all measures to ensure the safety and comfort of the baby. It is you who need to do the preparation of the sleeping place.
   • Think about the size of the bed. Is there enough space for the parents and the child? Trying to sleep with your child in a bed where two parents can barely fit is very dangerous.
   • A firm mattress is best for child safety. Babies are susceptible to sudden infant death syndrome, and it is believed that one of the risk factors is the lack of free circulation of air. A mattress that is too soft creates “pocket traps” for air, which causes the child to breathe the air that he just exhaled, and not new.
   • DO NOT put your child to sleep on an air mattress.
   • Buy sheets that are the right size. The sheet should cover the mattress tightly without creating creases. Make sure to tuck all the corners so that the sheet doesn't come out from under the mattress. Pay attention to the quality of the fabric. Too coarse fabric can irritate the delicate skin of the baby.
   • Consider covering the edges of the bed with something soft to prevent the child from hitting his head.
   • Think about what kind of blanket you will cover. Avoid buying a bulky blanket or other similar bedding because the blanket can easily muffle your baby's crying and the baby can become tangled in the blanket or sheet. It may be best to wear warm pajamas, rather than using blankets altogether.
3. 3 Position your bed correctly. Again, every detail must be considered for the child's safety and comfort.
   • Lower the bed or consider placing a mattress on the floor. No one is immune from accidents, and this is the easiest way to prevent a child from falling out of bed.
   • Move the bed as close to the wall as possible to prevent the child from falling out of bed. If there is space between the wall and the bed, you can cover it with a rolled-up blanket or towel to secure the gap.
   • Consider purchasing a handrail to keep your child from falling out of bed. But do not buy a foldable handrail designed for older children, because it can harm your little one.
   • Place a yoga mat or other mat along the edge of the bed to reduce fall damage if your toddler does fall out of bed.
   • Take a close look at the area around the bed. Make sure there are no draperies or cables that could entangle your baby. Check the wall outlets next to the bed. Consider keeping your child safe by covering the outlets with a special cover.

Part 5 of 5: Take Precautions

1. 1 Check again how safe the bed and bed area are for your baby. Remove old pillows, stuffed animals, and unwanted items from your bed. Only the essentials for a comfortable sleep should remain on the bed.
2. 2 Consider placing your baby between some protective surface (wall or fence) and the mother. Usually mothers instinctively feel their baby during sleep. Therefore, it will be safer to lay the baby in this way, and not between the two parents.
3. 3 Lay your baby on her back while she sleeps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Research in the past few years has shown that this does indeed reduce the risk of SIDS.
4. 4 Do not cover your baby's head with anything while he sleeps. Never put a sleeping cap on it, which could slide down onto your baby's face. Be careful with blankets, pillows, and other items that might obscure your baby's face. Babies are not able to remove obstacles to breathing on their own.
5. 5 Do not wrap your child too tightly. Keep in mind that your child may not need that much clothing because heat is transferred from one person to another. Children usually need less clothing to stay warm than adults.
6. 6 Remove anything that could potentially be harmful to your baby. In fact, the fewer things between you and your child, the better. This will make breastfeeding and sleeping easier.
   • Sleep in clothes without straps, ruffles or other decorative elements that your baby can accidentally get entangled in. Chains and other jewelry are also potentially harmful to the baby, so it is best to remove them before bed.
   • Avoid using scented lotions, deodorants, or hair masks that obscure your natural scent. The kid instinctively reaches out to you, guided by the smell. They can also irritate your baby's nasal passages.

Warnings

• Talk to your pediatrician about the possibility of sleeping with your baby, especially if the baby's health condition (or yours) may cause reflection on this situation