How Many People Co Sleep With Their Baby
More people bed share with their baby than youd think, and definitely more people co sleep than will admit it.
Heres the deal: Whether you exclusively breastfeed, formula feed, or do a combination, your baby is going to be waking up in the night a lot, and youre going to be desperate for sleep. In fact, studies show that exclusively breastfeeding mothers actually get more sleep than their formula-feeding counterparts!
But weve all heard the horror stories and seen the scary ads about SIDS, so we think were not supposed to sleep with our babies. But were so tired, it feels like the only way to survive. So we put our babies in bed with us.
Want proof that youre not the only one? Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, a maternal-child sleep expert, explains.
According to her research on maternal-child sleep, babies often start the night in their own room or in a crib in their parents room. But somewhere in the middle of the night, over half of babies, regardless of age, end up in bed.
Tragically, the fact that we dont educate parents in the States on how to co sleep safely potentially leads to more dangerous practices.
We dont wear seat belts because we plan to crash, we do it just in case. So why dont we just teach people how to bed share with their babies safely, in case that ends up happening?
Check out this interview with Dr. Kendall-Tackett for more on her take about parent education on co-sleeping:
Factors That Increase Co
Co-sleeping always increases the risk of SUDI including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.
Co-sleeping increases SUDI risk even more in the following situations:
- Youre very tired or youre unwell.
- You or your partner uses drugs, alcohol or any type of sedative medication that causes heavy sleep or make you feel less aware. This includes prescription medication.
- You or your partner smoke.
- Your baby is unwell.
- Your baby is less than 3 months old or was premature or smaller than most babies at birth.
Sleeping with a baby on a couch or chair is always unsafe. Move your baby to a safe sleep environment if you think you might fall asleep in a chair or couch while holding your baby.
Is It Possible To Sleep Train When Co
For the first few months after birth, your newborn will frequently feed over the night. This will make you wake more regularly to give them food. It is not any different when letting your baby sleep in a separate room.
However, after the child reaches 4 to 6 months, she may just be waking because it is now a habit. This will not be healthy for you as a tired parent in need of an extra minute of sleep, and also for the baby. So, you need to teach her how to get back to sleep on her own.
This is where you need to do sleep training.
Sleep training means teaching your child to get back to sleep on their own after waking up at night.
Succeeding in sleep training will help you get more sleep. But I should warn you sleep training can be frustrating during the early times of trying.
You should start sleep training your baby when they have reached 4 to 6 months. This is because she is no longer in need of nighttime feedings. Also, she is more mature and knows that she will land in her mothers arms when she cries.
However, every child develops differently, and you should check in with your pediatrician before you start sleep training.
Tips for sleep training your baby when co-sleeping
It may be a bit challenging to sleep train your baby when you two are sleeping in close proximity, but you can make it easier with these tips:
It is an excellent idea to co-sleep with your newborn until they become a year old, and after that, separate.
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Research And Discussion Of Research
Mother-and-Baby Behavioural Sleep Laboratory Professor James J. McKennas area at the University of Notre Dame website. Dr. McKenna is best known for his pioneering studies of the differences between the physiology and behavior of solitary and co-sleeping mothers an infants-and the connection these data might have in addressing SIDS risks. He is a Professor at the University of Notre Dame and runs the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory.
Parent-Infant Sleep Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Durham, UK. The Parent-Infant Sleep Lab is the home for a team of researchers led by Dr Helen L. Ball who are examining various aspects of infant sleep and night-time parenting. Their website includes research papers, project descriptions, presentations and other resources.
Risks : If You Intend To Sleep With Your Baby You Need To Know About Sids
SIDS is a problem with immaturity of Heartbeat, Breathing, or Blood Pressure during sleep.
To Minimize the Risk of SIDS, you should adhere to the common sense safety rules given below :-
- If you or anyone in the house smokes, you should not co-sleep with your baby.
- If you have been consuming Alcohol, you should not co-sleep with your baby.
- If you co-sleep with your baby, dont cover him with the duvet.
- Your babys head should not be covered while he sleeps
- Your baby up to 11 weeks old should not sleep in a Room on his own.
- Your baby should not be laid to sleep face down.
- Your baby should not co-sleep laying between two people.
- Your baby should not co-sleep on Sofas, Water Beds, or with other children.
- Never leave your baby unattended in or on top of an Adult bed.
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The Psychological Benefits Of Cosleeping
Meanwhile, anthropologists observed that all mammals and primates, as well as the majority of non-Western societies around the world, coslept. Therefore, it was likely that the practice had some biological advantage.
One of McKenna and his colleagues greatest scientific contributions has been to show how parents serve as a kind of biological jumper cable, or outsourced regulator, to a newborn baby when she is completing her gestation outside her mothers body. When parents and babies sleep together, their heart rates, brain waves, sleep states, oxygen levels, temperature, and breathing influence one another.
To a biological anthropologist, this mutual influence implies that the offsprings growth is intended to occur most safely inside that biological system, near an adults body, especially in the first few months of life while the babys own physiology is the most immature. For example, animal studies found that when baby monkeys were separated from their mothers, their bodies went into severe stress. A small study of 25 four- to ten-month-old babies who were separated for sleep training showed that even though the babies behavior quieted on the third night, their levels of cortisol remained high.
Watch The Cords And Gaps
Cords can pose a choking hazard if you have an active sleeper. A bed thats too close to a wall or furniture can pose a danger if your baby rolls or shifts during the night and gets wedged into a tight space.
While most medical organizations caution against having your baby sleep in bed with you, they do note that you should be mindful of your babys crib or sleeping area. In particular, if a crib has slats, they recommend that the slats are no more than 2 inches apart to prevent a baby from getting stuck between them.
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What You Need To Know About Other Baby Sleepers
There are a number of sleep devices that are not endorsed by the AAP because the organization doesnt have the data necessary to make a recommendation for or against them. These include bedside sleepers and in-bed sleepers .
Its important to note that bedside sleepers that have one side that folds down pose risks for entrapment and suffocation. If a babys head goes over the half-side of the sleeper, it may suffocate if it cannot lift its head off the side. Bedding from the adult bed can also spill over into bedside sleepers, which could cause overheating, suffocation, strangulation or SIDS.
On June 2, 2021, the CPSC banned a range of sleep products that have accounted for at least 90 infant deaths. One of these types of products, inclined sleepers, puts the baby on a substantial incline of up to 30 degrees, which could cause an infants head to slump down, the chin to rest on the chest and compress the airway, and potentially lead to suffocation.
Other banned products include baby tents, small travel beds and portable bassinets. Manufacturers of these products have one year to conform to the same federal standards as cribs, bassinets, bedside sleepers and play yards. In the meantime, these items are still on the market, so beware. Your safest bet is to choose only those devices that are recommended by the AAP and certified safe by the CPSC.
Making The Decision To Co
If you do choose to follow the co-sleeping route, make sure the togetherness you desire addresses your childs needs and not just your own. If youre a single parent or your spouse is often away from home, for instance, you should not allow your child to sleep with you just to stave off your own loneliness.
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Healthy Baby On His Back
Most frequently, SIDS is associated with babies that are put to bed in a non-supine or not on their back position. Regardless of whether you bed share or put your baby to bed in a separate space, on their back is the safest position.
All major medical groups, including the and LLL, agree that babies must sleep on their backs whether for naps or overnight.
What Bedding Should I Use For My Baby When We Co
Adult bedding should be kept well away from your baby along with any belts or cords from clothing, keep adult bedding at your waist height and add an extra layer of clothing if you are cold
A baby sleeping bag is a good way of giving your baby their own bedding when bedsharing
Baby sleeping bags should be well fitted, so the baby cant wriggle down inside. Most sleeping bags are fitted according to a babys weight, rather than age.
The Lullaby Trust has worked with Public Heath England, Unicef UK Baby Friendly and Basis on two publications to support families with safer sleep advice and advice on co-sleeping more safely. We have also collaborated on a guide for health professionals to have more open and productive discussions with families about safer sleep and co-sleeping. These can be downloaded below.
You might also be interested in reading the two Unicef Baby Friendly publications, which are both endorsed by The Lullaby Trust:
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Safe Cosleeping Means Sleeping Sober
Be sure that when you go to bed with your baby you havent been drinking and arent medicated. Reaction times become slowed when a person is impaired, and anything that impairs your natural abilities could cause you to roll onto the baby or not be aware of them.
Co-sleeping can be a wonderful bonding experience for the family. If you, your partner and child sleep soundly at night, enjoy safe co-sleeping. If you are re-actively co-sleeping, you may want to explore some other gentle sleep options, or even move the baby into a crib next to your bed.
Remember, your sleeping arrangements are ultimately about everyone getting a good, restful nights sleep.
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Cosleeping With Baby Is The Biological Norm
Cosleeping with baby is culturally accepted in many non western societies today. And, of course, for most of human history, co-sleeping was the norm in all cultures.
And it makes sense: In hunter-gatherer societies, a newborn or baby sleeping away from mom is more prone to danger and has to cry to get moms attention, which could put the group at risk of predatory attack. On the other hand, a baby nestled close to mom can nurse without fully waking .
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What Are The Different Types Of Co
Parents have plenty of options to choose from regarding the type of bed they want for their child. For example, parents who bed share may opt for a baby lounger instead of placing the child directly on the mattress.
These cushioned pads are slightly raised around the perimeter to help keep the child snug. Many of them also feature a mix of kid-friendly designs such as stars or animals. However, parents who prefer something more subtle can pick neutral or solid color patterns as well.
Some co-sleepers are specifically designed to be placed right next to mom and dads bed. For instance, some can be formally attached and removed as needed, and they may have different height options to match the height of the adult bed.
These bedside co-sleepers will also typically have a side panel that opens. The opening side door allows mom or dad to have direct access to the baby during the night.
Bassinets are a cozy option for babies as well. Parents can place them right next to their bed or several feet away.
Some bassinets, like cribs, are convertible, providing extra convenience for the child and parents. For example, they can be used at the crib level or removed for travel. Furthermore, certain convertible bassinets can transition with the baby as they grow into the toddler stage.
What Do Supporters Of Co
Advocates say that bed-sharing makes it easier to breastfeed at night and helps babies and parents get more sleep overall. Some say the added snuggle time can help you feel closer to your baby, too.
But those things don’t make bed-sharing safe or a good idea. And in fact, families can reap the same benefits and more with room-sharing.
Having your baby in her own crib or bassinet right next to your bed makes nighttime feedings just as quick and easy, so everyone can get back to sleep faster. And of course, you’ll have near endless opportunities to snuggle with your sweetie during the day when the two of you are awake.
Those aren’t the only pros of room-sharing. The most important benefit is that it can help lower the risk of SIDS by up to 50 percent. Having your baby next to you in her own sleeping space means you can easily be alerted to any potential breathing issues she might experience during the night.
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Co Sleep With Your Baby Close By Your Side
Theres nothing better than turning over in the middle of the night to see your little one sleeping sweet and sound, with their eyes closed and the kind of gentle smile on their face that lets you know that theyre resting easy.
Parents who choose co sleeping cite the extra bonding time as one of the biggest benefits: and we cant help but agree ! Because when you sleep no more than an arms reach away from your little one, you have plenty of extra time to take in their features, listen to every gentle coo, and care for every small crisis call that comes through the night.
That kind of nighttime bliss cant be beat. But you can put the brakes on that bondingand foster a potentially unsafe sleeping environmentif you choose to sleep too far away.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines, you should be within easy reach of your sleeping baby for at least the first six months of their life .
And according to scientific research, sleeping next to your baby has historically been a way for babies to learn how to regulate their breathing patterns in positive ways. Thats because when youre breathing close enough to your baby for them to hear you easily, theyll start naturally matching your breathing rhythm .
What Does The Research Say
The September/October 2002 issue of Mothering Magazine presents research done throughout the whole world on the issue of safe sleep. Numerous studies are presented by experts of excellent reputation. And what is the magazines conclusion based on all this research? That not only is sleeping with your baby safe, but it is actually much safer than having your baby sleep in a crib. Research shows that infants who sleep in a crib are twice as likely to suffer a sleep related fatality than infants who sleep in bed with their parents.
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Newborn Won’t Sleep In Cot Too Scared To Bed Share On My Knees
AliceAbsolum · Yesterday 15:19
Beginningless · Yesterday 15:27
I know cosleeping is scary initially but have you read about how to do it safely? Wear a dressing gown or thick jumper, then blankets or sleeping bag to your waist, nothing near baby. Lie on your side facing babe and you can always be touching her. Everything in your being is tuned towards keeping her safe, I know babies do get suffocated but this is when falling asleep on sofa etc, not following safe guidelines. Eventually you can learn to bf lying down and you dont even really wake, youll get a much better sleep.
OllytheCollie · Yesterday 15:28
None of mine would sleep in the cot, even a co-sleeper until 8 weeks +. Move your partner to the couch, remove thick blankets or loose pillows which could cover babies face, pop her on the mattress next to you flat on her back, inside a baby sleeping bag if you use one, with a duvet drawn up over you only. Get some sleep. Provided you have not taken sedative drugs or alcohol this is likely very safe. I breastfed mine and woke as soon as they stirred. At least locally to me HVs give safe co-sleepibg advice as they know most people do it and would rather they did it safely. It’s much more risky for parents to fall asleep from exhaustion with baby in their arms sitting up on the sofa or in bed.
Onnabugeisha · Yesterday 15:30