Balancing Benefits and Risks: Co Sleeping with Your Baby

Co-Sleeping or Bed Sharing with Your Baby: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

Introduction to Co-Sleeping Basics

The safest place for your newborn in their first six months is a separate Moses basket, cot, or bassinet within your room. However, around half of parents in the UK opt for co-sleeping or bed sharing with their infant at some point during those early months.

Understanding Co-Sleeping: The Do's and Don'ts

Co-sleeping, while convenient, poses certn risks that need careful consideration. When done correctly, it can be a positive experience for both parent and baby; however, there are instances when co-sleeping might not be recommed due to safety concerns.

Is Co-Sleeping Safe?

While Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS remns relatively rare, some conditions significantly increase the risk of this event during co-sleeping:

1. Sleeping on a sofa or chr with your baby increases SIDS risks significantly.

2. Smoking by parents, even outside of the bedroom area.

3. Engaging in alcohol consumption or drug use by either parent, including medication that may induce drowsiness.

4. Co-sleeping is not advised when your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight 2.5kg5.5lb.

5. Feeling excessively tired.

6. If your baby has a fever or shows signs of illness.

Co-Sleeping Safely: Positions and Tips

If you choose to co-sleep, consider the following recommations for safe infant sleep:

• Ensure that your child cannot fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall.

• Keep pillows, sheets, and blankets away from the baby's face to prevent overheating and obstructed breathing; instead, use baby sleeping bags with appropriate tog ratings for different seasons.

• Avoid having pets or other children in the bed during co-sleeping times.

• Always place your baby on their back.

  apply when your child shares a bed next to you through a bedside cot or side sleeper as well.

Co-Sleeping and Breastfeeding

Concerns about drifting off while feeding at night are common. To alleviate this, consider these breastfeeding strategies during the early postpartum period:

1. Involve your partner in supporting you throughout.

2. Avoid sleeping on the sofa when tiredness is expected to occur.

3. Consider reading a book that has been on your list forever.

Breastfeeding actually decreases the risk of SIDS, so it's not necessary to avoid co-sleeping due to this factor alone.

The guidance was last reviewed in February 2018.

Further Information

For more support and resources, consult these NCT National Childbirth Trust and other credible organizations:

• Our support line offers practical and emotional assistance with infant care and parental questions through a qualified group leader or volunteers.

• The NCT New Baby course is an excellent resource for new parents in your area to explore parenting techniques under professional guidance.

Explore the Baby Sleep Information Source BASIS, which provides up-to-date research-based information about infant sleep, including co-sleeping practices.

Visit The Lullaby Trust's informative website featuring educational videos and support materials on safe sleeping practices.

Lastly, Unicef offers a guide on where your baby should sleep for further insights.

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Consider joining as a member or contributing through fundrsing efforts to help more families navigate the journey of parenthood.
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