Co-sleeping With Your Baby

Co-sleeping refers to the practice of being near your baby while he sleeps or having your baby sleep with you. Studies show that co-sleeping with a breastfeeding infant encourages attachment between mothers and babies. It controls the baby's sleep patterns and helps a mother become more sensitive to her baby's needs and signals. It also gives way to a more restful sleep.

Although western culture discourages it, co-sleeping actually helps a mother breastfeed continuously. Continuous breastfeeding is essential to your baby's health; it also maintains the mother's milk supply.

Western culture discourages co-sleeping because of the fear of spoiling the child. Since the culture teaches independence, co-sleeping is seen as promoting in a child the idea of overdependence on his mother. It may also interfere with the relationship between husbands and wives, among siblings, and at times may result to sexual confusion. Although no solid evidence supports these concerns, mothers are still advised to take these into consideration.

There are many ways of co-sleeping. You may let your baby sleep beside you. You may also keep the crib in your room and let the baby sleep in your bed only when he awakens. You may also sleep with your baby in his room.

For you as a mother, co-sleeping is a personal decision. Your baby can get used to sleeping with you or near you. If you do decide to allow co-sleeping, you will have to follow certain guidelines to ensure your baby's safety and comfort.

If you or your husband smokes inside your room, you are not advised to keep your baby's crib inside your room. Also, do not co-sleep with your baby if you have a drinking problem or if you take drugs. Actually, the best advice is to quit such habits because they are detrimental to your health and the health of your breastfeeding infant, whether or not you plan to co-sleep with your baby.

Moreover, co-sleep only in a bed and not in a couch so that both you and your child are comfortable during bedtime. Make sure that the bedding fits tightly on the mattress and the mattress fits snugly with the bed's headboard. This prevents your baby from being trapped in between mattresses or beddings, which can affect his breathing and be potentially life-threatening.

The pillows should also have tight pillow covers. The blankets should not be too heavy; they should be light and comfortable to use. Lastly, see to it that your baby does not sleep on his stomach.

Every mother can follow a different approach to co-sleeping. There is no particular arrangement that can work best for all babies and parents. It is best to find an approach that is perfect for you and your baby.

As your baby grows older, he will gradually adapt to different sleeping patterns. This might result to uncomfortable sleeping routines for you and your baby. Although co-sleeping can have good effects on your child, you should instill in him the idea of being independent and emphasize his individuality by letting him sleep alone as he grows older.