When new parents are considering sharing a bed with their new born infant, they will want to become familiar with some co-sleeping safety tips that are essential for keeping their infant safe in the family bed. Although the practice of co-sleeping is no longer recommended according to the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), many parents continue to co-sleep with their babies from time to time, if not consistently, especially when baby is having difficulty sleeping.
How to Co-Sleep Safely With a Baby
Many precautions for safe co-sleeping are important for parents to take into account when they share a bed with their infants. The following co-sleeping safety tips should be strictly followed:
- Mattress must be firm
- Fitted, smooth sheets
- No waterbeds
- Bed should be low to the floor or have guardrails
- Bed should be at least queen-sized
- No gaps or spaces between bed and wall(s)
- Baby proof the bedroom
- No smoking in bedroom
- No pillows or blankets when baby is a newborn
- No strings, buttons, or pins on adult pajamas
- No jewelry
- No perfumes, strong deodorants, or aftershaves
- Room should be warm but not too warm
- No other child should be in the family bed with a newborn baby
- Consider using co-sleeping safety products (see section below)
Parents should not co-sleep with their baby if there is any reason why they cannot wake up easily. For instance, if a parent is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or sedatives, is severely sleep-deprived or extremely obese, or is traditionally a very deep sleeper.
Co-Sleeping Safety Products
There are many co-sleeping products on the market that claim to make it safer for baby to share a bed with mom and dad. Some of the items for co-sleeping are:
- Nests – An enclosed area where baby can sleep between pillows in a large bed.
- Wedges/Body Pillows – Placing these products under a fitted sheet will provide a barrier between baby and the edge of the family bed.
- Co-Sleepers (or Co-Sleeping Beds) – A bassinette that attaches to the side of an adult bed.
General Baby Sleep Safety Tips
There are many general tips and precautions that parents of new infants need to consider to keep their babies safe while sleeping, whether or not the child is co-sleeping with mom and dad. General baby sleep safety tips are offered in the article Baby Sleep Safety Tips.
Crib Safety Tips
As mentioned above, many believe that the attachment parenting practice of co-sleeping is risky and unsafe, including the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). If parents decide that it is time to purchase a crib for their baby, they may want to read up on some important crib safety tips.
When parents consider co-sleeping with their newborn babies, following the precautions and guidelines of safe bed sharing will be a must. By carefully following co-sleeping safety recommendations, parents may lower the risks associated with this attachment parenting practice. Incidents of SIDS, accidental smothering, falling, and other co-sleeping mishaps may be lessened.
Parents of newborn infants may also be interested in How to Get Baby to Sleep Through the Night.
Sources:
Cohen, George J., M.D., F.A.A.P., American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Sleep. NY: Villard Books, 1999.
Pantley, Elizabeth, The No-Cry Sleep Solution. NY: Contemporary Books, 2002.
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