Cosleeping has always been a hot topic between moms, doctors, researchers, and the media. While previously and currently making headlines every now and then, cosleeping has been viewed as dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. However, many researchers and doctors say cosleeping has many beneficial points for both moms and their babies when done safely.
There are many terms associated with cosleeping, such as room sharing, bed sharing, and coach or sofa sharing. To separate these terms we have made two categories: safe and unsafe. While all categories of cosleeping can have both safe or unsafe aspects, coach or sofa sharing is put in the category “unsafe” because a baby can be pushed into the cracks or sides of the couch and get stuck, or they have the ability to flip and lay face down on a pillow. Room sharing and bed sharing can both be labeled as safe, despite what many have heard in the media. With proper safety precautions, such as arranging your bed in a proper way where your baby can’t fall off without using pillows, placing your baby adjacent from your rather than in the middle of you and your partner, always resting your baby on their backs, obtaining the proper size bed to fit everyone, and if you are room sharing it’s important to be close enough to your baby where you can touch or hear them.
On the other hand, there are many cosleeping acts that can be unsafe. You should follow the rules above and speak to your lactation consultant and pediatrician for the best cosleeping methods. Do not cosleep is you are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, if you are obese because you have a greater chance of having sleep apnea, if you are suffering from sleep deprivation, if you have a water bed or other cushiony surface where it’s easier for your baby to fall towards the middle of the bed, if you bed isn’t big enough, if your other children are sleeping in the bed with you and there isn’t enough room, or cosleeping on a coach or sofa. It’s critical to follow safe cosleeping instructions in order to keep you and your baby safe.
In spite of what many believe, studies show safe cosleeping is extremely favorable for moms and babies. Babies who cosleep with their mother are more likely to get a restful night of sleep compared to solo sleepers who tend to startle and cry out during the night. Babies who cosleep with their mother are also more likely to have regular heart beats because they are able to match their mother’s breathing and rhythm while sleeping next to her, which means SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), is fewer in cosleeping situations. Furthermore, cosleeping progresses stable temperatures, breathing, and encourages mothers to continue breastfeeding. There are even lifelong benefits for babies, who cosleep, such as higher self-esteems, less anxiety, the ability to be more independent, the tendency to be more comfortable with affection and other emotions, and they are less likely to develop psychiatric problems.
With the amazing advantages cosleeping offers infants and their mothers, it’s also important to take in consideration it’s not for everyone. Both partners must understand the safety of their child is an equal responsibility. They must both be willing to take on the challenge and work together as parents. Before deciding if cosleeping is something to consider you’ll need to have done your own research. Talk to your lactation consultant on effective ways to cosleep, and how to transition your old sleeping patterns into new ones once your baby arrives. Cosleeping can be very rewarding to parents and children, but it needs to be done safely and effectively.
