Is Co-Sleeping Good For Your Baby?

Sleep with your baby or not? Even though you might love sleeping with your baby, the controversies associated with it might leave you thinking whether it is ok to do so.

The major problem lies in not talking about how it could be done safely. Co-sleeping in a safe environment is actually good for your baby. Why not use a bedside sleeper or a bigger bed where there is enough space for everyone?

Imagine walking all the way to another room just to breastfeed in the middle of the night. Wouldn’t this be easier if the baby was sleeping right next to you? When the baby sleeping with his or her loved ones, they sleep better, in turn helping you get a good night’s sleep.

If your mind is still having a small debate. Take a look at these 5 benefits of sleeping with your baby.

1. Comforts The Baby

Sleeping with the parent gives the baby the extra night-time comfort and makes room for better connection and bonding between the two. The power of touch can do wonders. Co-sleeping is a great way for working parents to spend more time with their baby and understand them.

2. Promotes Safety

Doesn’t cuddling make you feel more relaxed and safe? The same holds good for babies. Sleeping close to their parents helps them sleep well.

Although several studies suggest that co-sleeping can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), there are some that suggest otherwise, provided the baby sleeps in a separate bed or crib.[ref]Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment.” (2011): e1341-e1367.[/ref] Bed sharing is not recommended until the baby is 20 weeks old. However, tucking your baby into a crib next to your bed is safe.

3. Improves Baby’s Health

You know how important it is for a baby to sleep well. Sleeping with the mother helps the baby sleep better as they feel secure. With co-sleeping, the baby’s needs are met quicker. You don’t want a tired baby crying in the night! This helps them go back to sleep without fussing much.

When your little one is unwell, co-sleeping can help you keep a check on your baby all night long.

4. The Mother Can Sleep Better

Insomnia after childbirth is common. The constant worry about your child’s comfort and safety can keep you awake all night long and this can lead to more stress.

Co-sleeping can save you the trouble of going all the way to your baby’s room and breastfeeding. When you child is right next to you, it becomes easier to breastfeed. With immediate soothing, the child can sleep better and so will you.

5. Promotes Independence

Contrary to the popular belief, babies who sleep with their parents become independent sooner. This happens because of the absence of separation anxiety as their parents are in close proximity to them.

Co-sleeping contributes to a healthier emotional development of the baby in the later stages.[ref] It promotes confidence, self-esteem, and intimacy in the long run.

Guidelines For Safe Co-Sleeping

• Create a safe environment to ensure that your baby doesn’t roll off the bed.
• Always make your baby sleep on his or her back.
• Avoid placing heavy blankets on your baby as it increases the risk of SIDS.
• Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol or drugs, when co-sleeping as it can harm the baby.
• Bed-sharing is not recommended if you are obese as it increases the chances of smothering.

A child cared for and loved at an early age, during the day and through the night, grows up to be more confident and can cope better with anger and stress in adulthood.