Co-sleeping Pros and Cons
Hey mamas, are you thinking about snuggling up with your little one during nap time or bedtime?
Bed-sharing can be very tempting especially because of all the cuteness involved!
Those cuddly bonding moments are definitely hard to pass up! Am I right?
And sometimes, bed-sharing is just way easier than getting up from the bed to put baby back in their crib or bassinet.
I totally get it, too! I know you’re probably thinking, “If I can keep baby as happy as possible while getting the most sleep possible for the both of us.. even if baby sleeps in the bed with me… then that’s a win, right!?”
Other times you might be saying to yourself.. “There’s just no other option! In the middle of the night, I’m so tired that I can barely stay awake myself. So, baby falls asleep next to me in my bed. That should be fine, right?”
Trust me, mamas… I completely understand where you are coming from because I have gone through it myself.
Today’s post we will be chattin about co-sleeping, bed-sharing, and important things to consider.
But first, if you are new here - I am so excited you are here! Welcome!
I’m Lauren, the founder of this amazing community I call Sleep and the City!
If this is your first time, we are all about uplifting eachother and setting your baby up for healthy sleep!
Not sure where to start with this?
No worries! I have got you covered!
Okay! Let’s dive in!
What is co-sleeping and bed-sharing exactly?
You might have heard of “co-sleeping” and “bed-sharing” and you might be wondering what the difference is.
Well, let me break it down for you in simple terms.
Bed-sharing means snuggling up with your little one in the same bed or on the same sleeping surface. Bed-sharing essentially is sleeping or napping next to your baby in the same bed during nap times or bedtime.
And co-sleeping is when you're close to your baby, whether it's in the same bed or just in the same room during naps or bedtime.
So, co-sleeping isn’t always bed-sharing and bed-sharing is one way to co-sleep but is it a safe option for you and your little one?
Is sharing a bed with baby safe?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that sharing a bed with your baby can increase the risk of SIDS. And the truth is, there's no such thing as safe bed-sharing.
So, it's best to avoid it altogether.
The safest way to co-sleep with your little one is to room-share.
This means your baby has their own sleeping surface and space, like a crib or bassinet in your room. And the AAP recommends room-sharing until your baby is at least 6 months old to keep them extra protected from SIDS.
So, it is advisable and safe for baby to sleep in your room in their own crib during bedtime or naps. Speaking of naps, are you wondering what the ideal nap times are for your baby? If so, click here to read more!
What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and it's when a baby under the age of 1 dies suddenly and without any explanation. Sometimes it's called "crib death" because it happens while the baby is sleeping in a crib but there are cases where it happens during co-sleeping/bed-sharing situations as well.
What causes SIDS?
The thing is, doctors aren't exactly sure what causes SIDS, but they think it might have something to do with a few different things, like how the baby is sleeping, the sleeping environment, and any underlying health issues.This is why it’s not advisable for baby to share a bed with you for sleep.
It's important to know that SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies between 1 month and 1 year old. Even though they aren't sure what causes SIDS, and it can't be completely prevented, there are a few things we as mamas can do to reduce the risk, like placing your baby on their back to sleep, avoid bed-sharing, but also room sharing until 6 months old.
So can I bed-share sometimes?
Breastfeeding at night might lead to the occasional bed-sharing moments. It certainly happens and it’s totally understandable when it does. However, it's really best to avoid bed-sharing all together and as much as possible because it can be dangerous and may lead to suffocation, strangulation, and SIDS.
So, what should I do?
Instead of bed-sharing, co-sleeping/room-sharing is a good option. It’s actually suggested to have your little one sleep in the same room as you, but on their own separate crib or bassinet until they are at least 6 months old, and ideally until they're 1 years old.
One of the biggest reasons parents say yes to bed-sharing is that baby doesn’t know how to self soothe. And teaching baby to self-soothe isn’t an overnight process - but you could start seeing results in as little as a week. Need more info on teaching baby to self soothe? Read more here.
A safe sleeping area for newborns
A great safe sleeping option for your newborn baby (0-3 months) is The Snoo.
This is a great option for your baby to feel safe and secure during sleep. It’s also great for travel, too!
The Snoo is actually created by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp (Happiest Baby on the Block) and the company calls Snoo “the world’s smartest and safest baby bed!”
Want more info on The Snoo? Read here.
Can I sleep shape while room-sharing?
Of course! You can always email me or direct message me on Instagram for any questions. I also have created The Newborn Sleep Academy, where you’ll have all your questions answered plus direct access to me as well through a communication portal once you are enrolled.
Want to learn more about The Newborn Sleep Academy?
Nursery
If you feel comfortable enough and at baby’s recommended age, you can create a dedicated space for them in a separate nursery or baby room for naps and bedtime. This will set you and baby up for long term sleep success by establishing healthy sleeping habits early on in baby’s sleep journey. This also has a lot to do with baby sleep crutches.
Not sure if your baby has developed a sleep crutch?
Don't forget about good sleep accessories like white noise machines and baby monitors, they allow you to keep an ear out for your little one, even if they're sleeping in another room.
P.S. here’s a great white noise machine that I think you’ll love!
No matter what you decide, the most important thing is to keep your baby safe and comfortable.
Trust your instincts, mama. You know what's best for you and your little one!
xo,
Lauren
Stay connected with us:
Click here to read more helpful things for babies 0-12 months!
Have questions? You can email us or check out our most asked questions, here.