Is Sleep-Sharing With Infants Good?

2018.04.24 470

Co-sleeping, sleep-sharing, the family bed: Whatever you call it, it means regularly sharing a bed with your child instead of sleeping separately. It turns out that many families sleep together all over the world. Parents who don't subscribe to the idea of a family bed may allow a child to co-sleep on occasion when they feel it's necessary. Here are some useful tips for you from HappyMom.Life To Prep This Doing.




Check In With Your Partner


Choosing to sleep-share should be a family decision. So before you start, make sure your partner is comfortable with the arrangement. You run the risk of damaging your relationship if you decide independently that this is what you're going to do or pressure a reluctant partner to agree.

  • Talk the issue over together and consider the pros and cons. Consult friends who sleep-share and find out how it's working for them.
  • Brainstorm with your partner about ways to make private time for yourselves. Let your partner discuss his reservations, if any, and listen to what he has to say. Talk openly about your own feelings.
  • If either of you still has doubts, one strategy is to agree to a trial period of two weeks or so and check in with each other when that period is over. As with all parenting decisions, it's important to consider each other's feelings and point of view before making a decision.




Check In With Your Baby


Many parents who have no intention of sharing their bed end up doing so when they find that it's the only way they get can their newborn to sleep. For some babies, sleeping alone is hard to get used to after nine months in utero. They crave closeness and comfort.



But not every baby enjoys a shared sleeping arrangement. If you have a family bed and your baby's restless or fussy at night, you might try putting him in her bassinet or crib to see if he seems happier there. Or, if crowding is the problem, consider getting a larger bed or a bedside bassinet to give everyone a little more room.


What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Sleep-Sharing On Children?


Some traditional child development experts argue that kids who sleeps with their parents become overly dependent. As sleep-sharing has become more widespread in the United States in recent years, though, it has also become more accepted, and some of this skepticism has faded.



Children do not grow up insecure just because they sleep alone or with other siblings, away from their parents; and they are not prevented from learning to separate, or from developing their own sense of individuality, simply because they sleep with their parents. Whatever you want to do, whatever you feel comfortable doing, is the right thing to do, as long as it works.

If you sleep with your baby, it may be difficult to persuade her to move into her own bed later. Some children who spend their early years in the family bed may not be ready for the transition when their parents are and resist sleeping anywhere else – at least at first. But most kids will happily sleep on their own once they've made the change.



Be Sure To Observe The Following Additional Safety Precautions

Safe Sleeping Position

No matter where your baby sleeps, put her down to sleep on her back. Experts say that following this "back to sleep" practice is the most important thing you can do to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.


Safe Sleeping Environment

Never smoke or allow others to smoke around your infant, whether or not you're co-sleeping. Some studies have found that babies who share a bed with parents who smoke are at higher risk for SIDS.Childproof the room you and your baby sleep in. The day will come when he can get out of the bed and explore while you sleep.



Safe Mattress And Bed

Put your baby to sleep only on a smooth, flat mattress. It's not safe for babies to sleep (with or without you) on a waterbed, an egg-crate mattress, a couch, an armchair, or any other surface that's not firm and could interfere with your baby's breathing – firm and flat is the rule.


Safe Bedding

To make sure your baby can breathe freely, keep pillows, blankets, comforters, and other bedding away from her face.Make sure fitted sheets fit securely so they can't be pulled loose.Don't use sheepskins or any type of cushy mattress cover.


Safe Sleepwear

For warmth, dress your baby in layers. Footed pajamas and sleeveless sleep sacks ("wearable blankets") can help. (Get more ideas for keeping your baby warm without blankets.)To avoid overheating, dress your baby more lightly than you would if he were sleeping alone.



Photo Credit: Pinterest



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