Co-sleeping Benefits and Risks (Plus How to Safely Do it)

Co-sleeping is a topic that has sparked a lot of debate among parents. Pediatrician and researcherSupporters emphasize its benefits, such as better sleep for both parents and babies. However, concerns about SIDS risk and other safety issues have led others to warn against it.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the current safety guidelines and offer helpful tips for parents considering co-sleeping. Plus, I’ll share what I did with my kids when they were younger!

What is co-sleeping?

Co-sleeping is when parents sleep in the same room with a baby or young child – usually for the first year of life. Many parents decide to sleep in the same room for even longer than that.

Some define co-sleeping as keeping the baby within your arm’s reach, while others define it as Parents and babies Sleeping in the same room. When sharing a room, the baby can sleep in a bed or crib next to the parent’s bed or across the room. Room sharing is quite acceptable – at least for the first six months of life.

Bedsharing, however, is more controversial. Bedsharing is exactly what it sounds like — sleeping in the same bed as a baby. It’s more common than you might think. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey of caregivers in 2015.

More than half of caregivers surveyed (61%) reported that they share their bed at least some of the time.

Benefits of Co-Sleeping

Sleeping with your baby can have physical and emotional benefits for both parent and baby:

Increased bonding

Sleeping together strengthens the bond between parent and baby. Closeness increases opportunities for interaction, such as feeding and comforting. Sleeping near a parent at night can also give your baby a sense of security. This sense of security can lead to better development emotional development and decreased separation anxiety.

Promotes lactation

Co-sleeping makes breastfeeding at night more convenient. This may allow mothers to decide to breastfeed longer (6+ months) as it is easier to continue breastfeeding throughout the night.

A 1997 study also found that babies who shared a bed breastfed more often and for longer periods of time. They had more frequent breastfeeding sessions and spent three times as much time at night as those who slept separately.

Decreased risk of S.I.D.S.

An added benefit is that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A German study found that formula-fed babies not only had an increased risk of SIDS, but they had twice the risk compared to breastfed babies.

Sleeping near parents can also reduce the risk of SIDS. Sleeping close together regulates the baby’s breathing and body temperature. Healthy breathing patterns can also reduce the risk of SIDS.

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More convenient breastfeeding may have even more far-reaching benefits. A 2022 study found that sleeping with babies benefits their bite development.

Children who co-slept during infancy were less likely to use a pacifier or suck their thumb. As a result, they were less likely to do so. developing an overbiteCrossbite, or open bite. Sleeping together helped them develop their face better.

Better sleep for parents

Having the baby nearby can make nighttime care tasks such as feeding and comforting the baby easier and quicker. As a result, parents may be more likely to get a restful sleep.

Is co-sleeping safe?

New parents may wonder if bed sharing is safe. Bed sharing is actually the biological norm and has been common throughout history. Western societies have simply moved away from it for convenience. As long as parents follow certain practices, it can be safe.

One of these practices is breastfeeding. Breastfed Babies They have a symbiotic relationship with their mothers and can safely share a bed. However, formula-fed babies are safer sleeping next to or in a crib next to their mother.

Dr. James McKenna is the director of the Mother-Infant Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame and is widely regarded as a leading co-sleeping expert. He explains that there are several reasons why co-sleeping with breastfed babies and bottle-fed babies is not the same:

“Breastfeeding changes where and how the baby is positioned near the mother, and the ways in which the baby is stimulated, how sensitive baby and mother are to each other’s movements, sounds and proximity, as well as baby and mother’s sleep structure (how much time both spend in different sleep stages and how and when they move from one sleep stage to the next) vary greatly between bottle-feeding and breastfeeding mother-baby pairs.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still advises against bed-sharing in their 2022 updated guidelines. They warn that it increases the risk of SIDS. But SIDS is more of a concern when bed-sharing occurs with premature and low-birth-weight babies. Healthy, full-term babies are not at as much risk, as long as parents follow safe sleep habits.

Dr. McKenna also discusses the research linking co-sleeping to SIDS. He says there are many errors and inconsistencies in interpreting the results of co-sleeping and SIDS studies.

There are always instances of people who do not follow safe bed-sharing practices. However, that doesn’t mean no one should do it. And it’s important to note that suffocation from unsafe co-sleeping is not SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), even though the two are often lumped together.

Safe Co-Sleeping Practices

Here are some safe bed-sharing tips. Keep in mind that these apply to daytime naps as well as nighttime naps:

• It may be safest for breastfed babies to sleep next to their mother (rather than their father)
• Babies under one year old should not sleep with older children
• Infants should be seated in a chair firm sleeping surface (No waterbed or sofa)
• Make sure that there are no holes in the headboard and footboard where the baby could get stuck at night. The mattress should fit snugly on the headboard to ensure a safe sleep for the baby.
• Blankets, quilts or pillows made of sheepskin are also not good. These can increase the risk of overheating and suffocation. Use only light-weight baby blankets.
• A well-fitted baby sleeping bag can help give the baby a separate bed to prevent suffocation
• remove anything that could pose a strangulation hazard such as jewellery, pacifier clips and teething necklaces
• Some parents choose to use Bedside BassinetGive them their own space while keeping a sleeping baby close by.

The Lullaby Trust in the UK has also produced a guide on safe mattress and bedding options for co-sleeping. They emphasize using a firm, flat mattress and avoiding soft or heavy bedding.

What about teaching independence?

Some parents may worry that their child will never get out of bed. However, many of the ideas in this article are helpful. Infant sleep training Apply here. A good way to start is to gradually ease your baby into his own sleep space. Start by sleeping in his crib or bassinet for a few minutes. Then gradually increase his sleep time.

Be sensitive to your child’s needs during the transition period. Comfort them if they become upset, but encourage them to go back to sleep in their usual sleep space. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal can help soothe them and fall asleep again if they wake up in the night.

Another concern is that sleeping with children will make them less independent when they get older. The good news is that Research has found It’s quite the opposite. Children who co-slept in infancy were more self-reliant and independent as preschoolers than those who did not co-sleep in childhood.

Sleeping together and sharing beds is common around the world. This is not a new concept. You might be surprised at how many world leaders in history shared beds with their mothers as infants.

It’s all or nothing

It’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” Once the baby is sleeping through the night, it may be time to slowly work toward moving the baby into his or her own room. Parents can use co-sleeping as part of baby-led sleep training.

There may also be times when it is not ideal for a baby to sleep in an adult’s bed. For example, if a parent has a respiratory illness or the flu, it is probably best to let the baby sleep alone in a crib or bassinet. Sleeping separately on a night when one or both parents have been drinking is another time.

Many parents don’t feel comfortable bed sharing. That’s totally fine! Parents who are heavy sleepers, are on certain medications, are dealing with an illness, etc. may not want the baby in bed with them. Whatever the case may be, there’s no judgement here. Room sharing is still a great option.

what i do/used to do

When my children were young, I shared a bed with them for the first several months. I got used to being near the baby In the wombSo it was a natural transition to putting him to sleep next to me in bed. As the baby started moving around more, I also started feeling more comfortable putting him to sleep on his own.

Of course, sleeping arrangements will depend on each child and family. Do what works best for you.

What do you think about co-sleeping? Have you practiced sharing a bed or room with your little ones? Share with us below!