Despite co-sleeping being advised against by most doctors, a surprising number of parents do in fact co-sleep with their baby on numerous occasions. The impact this has is that parents aren’t informed on how to safely co-sleep with their baby and as a result are at risk of putting their baby in danger. In this article, we’re going to look at some top tips for safe co-sleeping with your baby.
Put your baby on their back
Standard practice to lay your baby on their back is something all parents adhere to in order to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and this applies to co-sleeping as well. Even if you breastfeed your baby lying down, ensure you return your baby to their back once they’ve finished nursing.
Be mindful of duvets and pillows
Keeping cool is an important tip for safe co-sleeping with your baby. Make sure your baby isn’t covered by the duvet, but use sheets and blankets instead. The same goes for pillows. Your baby won’t need a pillow until they’re at least a year old. By keeping bedding away from your baby’s face, you’ll not just minimise the risks of overheating, but also the risks of suffocating.
Alcohol, cigarette and medication
If either you or your partner is a smoker, then co-sleeping is a big no. Similarly, if either you or your partner has had alcohol, medication or drugs, then the ability of safe co-sleeping with your baby is reduced dramatically. In particular, alcohol and medication that makes you drowsy will mean that you are less responsive during your sleep and may not become aware of any issues during the night, or when your baby needs feeding.
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Invest in a firm mattress
If co-sleeping is something that you’re thinking about doing, then ensure that you purchase a firm mattress. A mattress that is soft or saggy can increase the risk of your baby suffocating. Ensure your mattress is a good fit for your bed and minimise the number of gaps your baby can wriggle into, so make sure the mattress fits snugly against any walls as well as the headboard and frame.
Sleep in the ‘C’ position
Worrying about whether you’re sleeping in the right position and whether your baby is comfortable throughout the night can be a big concern for some new parents. It’s likely that if you’re breastfeeding during the night then you will instinctively adopt a ‘C’ position shape in your sleep. However, making a conscious effort to sleep in this position can go a long way to ensuring safe co-sleeping with your baby.
Lie on your side, facing your baby, with an arm above their head and curl your knees up under their feet. Sleeping in this position will help you to keep pillows away from your child’s head and will also prevent you from rolling forwards or backwards.
Resources:
https://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/co-sleeping-safely-your-baby
http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/cosleeping
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a558334/co-sleeping-and-safety