Co-Sleeping and Why Every Parent Should Know How to Do It Safely

Co-sleeping/bedsharing or sharing a sleep surface with your baby, is a practice that many parents find beneficial for bonding, ease of nighttime feedings, and promoting better sleep for both themselves and their baby. 

We have been co-sleeping since Izzy was born, and it has been a lifesaver for us. I truly never felt the exhaustion or frustration often associated with newborn sleep challenges or sleep regressions, and I attribute this to our co-sleeping arrangement. Co-sleeping can be a wonderful and natural practice that benefits many families, even if it’s not part of your long-term plan.

However, it’s important to recognize that co-sleeping can become dangerous if done in an unsafe environment or out of sheer exhaustion. Keep reading to learn more about how to make co-sleeping as safe as possible for your little one.

Benefits of Co-Sleeping

1. Enhanced Bonding

Co-sleeping fosters a strong emotional connection between parents and their baby. Being close throughout the night can provide comfort and reassurance, making it easier for babies to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. Easier Nighttime Feedings

For breastfeeding mothers, co-sleeping can simplify nighttime feedings. Being able to nurse without getting out of bed can help both you and your baby get more restful sleep. Learn more about side lying nursing if you are a breastfeeding mother. 

3. Better Sleep for Parents

Parents who co-sleep often find that they get more sleep because they can respond quickly to their baby’s needs without fully waking up. This can lead to a more relaxed and less fragmented nighttime experience.

Safety Guidelines for Co-Sleeping

To ensure that co-sleeping is as safe as possible, follow the safe sleep 7 guidelines

1. No Smoking: Ensure that no one in the sleep environment smokes. Exposure to secondhand smoke significantly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other health issues.
2. Baby Sleeps on Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep. This position is the safest and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
3. Firm Sleep Surface: Use a firm mattress with no soft bedding, pillows, or loose sheets. A soft surface can increase the risk of suffocation or overheating.
4. No Gaps: Make sure there are no gaps between the mattress and the bed frame where the baby could become trapped. The sleep area should be flush against the bed or crib.
5. No Extra Bedding: Avoid using extra bedding, such as blankets or pillows, in the baby’s sleep area. These can pose a suffocation hazard.
6. Avoid Bedsharing if Impaired: Do not bedshare if you or anyone else in the bed is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or extreme fatigue. This increases the risk of accidentally rolling onto the baby.
7. Ensure Safe Sleep Position: The baby should be placed on their back to sleep and should not be placed in an adult bed with other children or pets.
8. *Check out the cuddle curl position for best sleeping position while bedsharing 

Supporting Safe Co-Sleeping at Rooted

At Rooted, we understand that every family has unique needs and preferences when it comes to sleep arrangements. We offer resources, support, and educational opportunities to help you make informed decisions about co-sleeping and other parenting practices. Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can confidently choose the best options for your family's well-being.

Co-sleeping can be a wonderful way to bond with your baby and make nighttime easier, but it’s essential to prioritize safety. By following these guidelines and seeking support when needed, you can create a secure and nurturing sleep environment for your little one.

For more information on cosleeping/bedsharing check out these two books.

1. Sweet Sleep by La Leche League

2. Safe Infant Sleep by Dr. James Mckenna

Happy mothering and happy sleep to you and your little one,

Morgan 

 

*This is not medical advice, we are here to provide an education perspective