This post is part of the 2010 API Principles of Parenting blog carnival, a series of monthly parenting blog carnivals, hosted by API Speaks. Learn more about attachment parenting by visiting the API website.
Are you a new parent? You want to cosleep with your baby, but you have heard it is dangerous, so you are hesitant. Or maybe you have been cosleeping but became doubtful after some criticism. (here are some responses if that happens again). Indeed, numerous campaigns have led us to believe to put a baby to sleep Alone, on his Back in a Crib. But for a breastfed baby, there is no better place in the world than close to his mother. If you respect these simple guidelines, cosleeping can be made perfectly safe.
- Cosleeping mothers automatically adopt a protective position when sleeping with their infant, by bending a knee under the child and folding their hand under their head, thus creating a safe secluded sleeping space for the little one.
- Cosleeping is extremely beneficial to the breastfeeding relationship,
- Both mother and baby get more sleep when cosleeping, since neither has to get out of the bed for feedings.
- With your baby close to you, you will be able to detect the slightest change in temperature or breathing, and act quickly when he becomes ill.
- Air out your room for an extended period during the day.
- Keep the room temperature moderate. Generally 16 degrees Celsius is recommended, but this is just not doable in some climats, so just assure a comfortable, fresh atmosphere.
- Try to put your baby to sleep on his back.
- Reduce the bedding to a minimum: a small duvey (or sheet and blanket) and one pillow per adult. Your baby does not need his own pillow just yet (not recommended until the age of two, and even then, you'll see when your child is ready for a pillow).
- Dress your baby lightly, go from what you are wearing and add no more than one piece of clothing to that. If you are sleeping in full length pyjama's, put your baby in a pyjama too. If however, you sleep in the nude, only put on his nappy, or maybe a light onesie (as cosleeping babies tend to be more on top of the duvey than underneath). Sleeping close to you, your baby will be warm enough and if he's feeling chilly, he'll just scoot over closer to you.
- Check the bed for any splits the baby could roll into while he's sleeping and prop them up with sheets or towels. If you have a particularly hazardous bed, you could opt for a matress on the ground.
- If you want your baby in bed with you, but are still a bit afraid, you could get a baby nest, which is a donut shaped semi soft matress for your baby. This puts your baby on a surface a little higher than you, and you can put him in between the pillows. You will have to be a little more awake to get him out for feeding though.
- Do not smoke in a room where your child sleeps
- Do not cosleep when you drank alcohol or have done drugs
- Don't sleep with your infant on the couch
- Do not sleep on a soft matress
- It is not recommended for extremely obese people to cosleep, as obesity might induce sleep apnea.
- It is not recommended for sitters or third parties to sleep with the baby, as their awareness is not the same as that of a mother.
- Don't allow older siblings to sleep with an infant under nine months.
Sleeping In The Same Bed, The Breastfeeding Co-sleeping Connection
Image: Driki on Flickr