Co-sleeping is a fairly comment practice and many parents sleep in the same bed or room with their young baby or toddler. This is a very controversial topic in the United States and most people think co-sleeping is completely dangerous and that it should be avoided. However, as a mom I know how hard it is to be able to get a good night sleep especially after you return back to work. If you are like me, it is difficult for me to function on a few hours of sleep and I would do what I had to do some nights. I know that if your baby isn’t sleeping at night then neither are you. Co-sleeping isn’t for everyone. I highly recommend that if you are planning on co-sleeping, you should discuss it with your spouse while you are still pregnant so that you can come to an agreement on how you want to handle sleeping issues.
Disclosure: All the opinions in this post are my own and may differ from your own opinions of co-sleeping.
When my babies were younger, they would always fall asleep on my chest or in my arms but the moment I would put them in their own crib they would instantly wake up. Most parents can attest to this behavior. You have to remember your baby naturally had a different sleeping schedule while inside of the womb. When your baby is born, most baby’s have a hard time adjusting to life outside of the womb. When you were pregnant, during the day time you were constantly moving around while you are working and you don’t realize that you were constantly rocking your baby. If you recall your baby’s movements during your pregnancy, you probably noticed that you were able to feel your baby moving in your belly when you were trying to sleep or while you were stilling still. So when baby’s are born, they no longer have the soothing rocking motion and can no longer hear the sound of your beating heart unless they are snuggled against your chest.
Learn Why Co-Sleeping Is Potentially Dangerous for Your Baby
Co-sleeping can increase your baby’s risk for suffocation or strangulation. If your baby sleeps in bed with you, it is important to make sure that your baby is safe. Also, it is possible that you or your spouse could easily roll on top of your baby while sleeping. If you choose to co-sleep, you should check out these great products to decrease your baby’s risk of suffocation or strangulation. Check out these 4 options to make co-sleeping or rooming with your baby safer.
Portable Bedding
A portable bed will reduce your baby’s risks of suffocation and strangulation due to the portable beds construction. If you plan on co-sleeping why not make it safer for your baby to sleep in the same bed with you and your spouse. Most portable beds are generally anchored under the mattress so that it can not be moved or flipped over easily. This type of bed is designed to protect your baby by preventing parents from accidentally rolling over onto the baby. Depending on the model of portable bed that you choose, most of them fold up for easy storage, travel, and can be used once you try to transition your baby into his or her own room.
Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper
The Arm’s Reach Co-Sleepers are a great addition that easily attaches to the side of your bed so that your baby can sleep within arms reach. This type of co-sleeper gives your baby their own space to sleep safely. Your baby will still be close enough so that you can easily reach your baby and pull them close to you whenever you need to feed or sooth your baby. A side bed co-sleeper is fairly safe as long as you place your baby back into the co-sleeper once you are finished nursing or soothing your baby.
Bassinet
A bassinet is a perfect solution for keeping your baby close to you while providing your baby with a safe place of their own to sleep. Most bassinets are fairly portable and can easily be moved from room to room. They don’t take up a large amount of space and you can even put it next to your bed. If you plan on using a bassinet, it is important that you stop using it when your baby can push up on their own. You don’t want your baby to accidentally fall out of the bassinet and hurt themselves.
Pack n Play
A pack n play is a great addition that you can easily put in your bedroom so that your baby can sleep in the same room with you at night. You can place the pack in play close to the bed or in an empty spot your bedroom, depending on your preference, so that you can attend to your baby quickly at night. Most pack n plays are fancy and come with a bassinet and changing tables for smaller babies. The great thing about a pack n play, you can continue to use them even when the baby is older and are great for traveling.
If you are planning on co-sleeping, I urge you to check out these options so that you are prepared when you baby is born. Don’t forget to discuss the idea of co-sleeping with your spouse. As a mom, I realize that most mom’s want their baby nearby at all times especially if you plan on breastfeeding your newborn. During those first few weeks, your baby will often wake up several times during the night and having your baby close by makes it easier for everyone to be able to get enough sleep.
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Did you co-sleep with your baby? If so, which of these products did you choose and why?
