What constitutes of Co Sleeping?

What is Co Sleeping?

In simple words, it’s when the mother and baby sleep on the same surface together in close proximity. 

Is it safe to co-sleep with your baby? and can it be done safely?

As a midwife, I always recommend babies to be put in their moses basket or cot to sleep, as Babies should have a clear sleep space, which is easy to create in a cot or Moses basket.  I know however that families also wish to bed share, therefore we recommend making your bed a safer place for baby whether you doze off accidentally, or choose to bed share. Our advice on co-sleeping with your baby will tell you how. For safer co-sleeping:

• Keep pillows, sheets, blankets away from your baby or any other items that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.
• Follow all of our other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back
• Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed
• Make sure baby won’t fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall
• Get the help of a newborn care nurse

As a midwife, we communicate clearly to our new mothers the dangers of co sleeping. There are times where co sleeping should not occur:

• Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom)
• Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy)
• Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks)
• Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less)
• Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, this can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times

Why do some mums find co-sleeping easier?

Few mothers find it easier to co-sleep with their babies for the following reasons:

• Breastfeeding convenience 
• They believe babies are more settled with them skin to skin
• They believe babies sleep longer making them have more rest periods 

Questions to ask yourself when you co-sleep with your newborn:

• Why are you co-sleeping? And how long? 
• Do you just want to co-sleep for a few months or years? 
• Are you utilizing co-sleeping as a backup for those desperate moments before you and your baby are ready for sleep coaching? 
• Do you have trouble putting your baby to sleep? Get help from our sleep trainer