There is a great debate within the medical community about the safety of co-sleeping; one or both parents sharing their bed with the newborn. I shared my bed with my firstborn child for a number of reasons. The first being plain old conveniences. I was breast feeding and at night, rather than getting out of bed, I would just roll over, attach her to my breast and drift back to sleep. Other reasons were pure first time parent paranoia. It had been drilled into my head about the dangers of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and I wanted her with me at all times during the night.
The professionals against co-sleeping cite that there is a risk of "over-laying" (rolling over on top of your baby); risk of entrapment, such as wedging up against a wall or sleep with bedding not approved for infant use; and their idea that co-sleeping may have a negative effect on childhood development.
Pro co-sleeping advocates believe it is part of the mother-child bonding process that has been going on for centuries. They cite that bed sharing promotes breastfeeding; the mother's exhalations of CO2 triggers infant breathing stimulation; there is even an argument that the frequent nocturnal feedings (via breast) keeps the mother's prolactin levels high enough to suppress ovulation (thereby allowing for "child spacing") and may lead to the prevention of some cancers.
Whatever your decision is on to share your bed or not, there are some guidelines to follow for both "schools" of thought:
Infants should always be placed on a firm mattress, whether it's your bed or their crib. Never allow an infant to sleep on a water bed or on a soft couch.
Remove all cords, ties and other strangulation risks (especially window blinds!) from near the crib or bed.
Always put your baby to sleep on their back. If you are breastfeeding while side-lying, when the baby is done, roll her onto her back.
Parents who smoke have babies have a greater chance of dying from SIDS. Mothers who smoke should not co-sleep.
Parents who are over 175 pounds should not co-sleep. Studies have shown higher weighted parents have over-laying issues.
Never co-sleep if you have been drinking alcohol or taking sleeping medication.
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