What is Co-Sleeping?

What is Co-Sleeping?

Co-sleeping is the act of sleeping near (in the same room as) one's child(ren).

There are different ways to Co-sleep, some safer than others. Sleeping on the couch with your baby, for example, comes with risk of suffocation. Baby could get stuck between the parent and the back of the couch and suffocate. That is not to say Co-sleeping as a whole is "unsafe" and should not be done. There have been claims that Co-sleeping causes SIDS - this is FALSE. In fact, Co-sleeping, particularly Bed Sharing (safely) actually reduces the risk of SIDS, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Many people don't know this, but Co-sleeping & Bed Sharing are not the same thing. Co-sleeping is the act of sleeping near one's child(ren). Generally in the same room, but separate beds. Bed sharing is the act of sleeping in the same bed as one's child(ren).

Why Co-sleep?

Sharing a sleep space with your baby is amazing for many reasons! ● Co-sleeping is the biological norm for human beings in general, but particularly children. ● Studies show that children who have had attentive caregivers have more healthy development overall than children with inattentive caregivers. Co-sleeping allows for the caregiver to more readily respond to baby's needs. This also creates a strong & trusting bond between baby and caregiver. Establishing trust is crucial to proper mental, emotional, and even physical development for baby. ● Also, anyone who breastfeeds (which is good for both mom and baby's health) knows that nighttime nursing helps in creating and sustaining a healthy milk supply. Co-sleeping, especially Bed Sharing, makes breastfeeding easier. ● Co-sleeping (safely) reduces the risk of SIDS. Co-sleeping creates more independence in children, contrary to popular belief. ● When children feel safe and secure with their caregivers, they are more likely to explore & engage with the world independently. ● Co-sleeping also tends to allow for more sleep for mom and baby, which is good for everyone, especially in those first few months!

How to Co-sleep safely -

1) Make sure there are no pillows or big blankets near baby while he/she is sleeping.

2) Make sure there are no gaps between the mattress & headboard or walls.

3) Make sure baby cannot fall off of the bed.

4) You can sidecar the crib to your bed, use a co-sleeper, have them in their crib across the room, ect. Whatever works best for everyone involved.

5) Bed Sharing is not recommended if you are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medication. It is also not recommended if you are a heavy sleeper, obese, or smoke cigarettes. That is not to say you can't *Co-sleep*, just that *Bed Sharing* is not recommended.

6) I would also like to add, if you have other children in your bed, make sure there are boundaries between them and  your infant until the infant is able to move well & handle themselves.

To recap -
Co-sleeping is the act of sharing a sleep space with your child(ren). Co-sleeping and Bed sharing are not the same thing. Bed Sharing is the act of sharing a bed with your child(ren). And Co-sleeping is not inherently dangerous, in fact it is beneficial in many ways when done safely.