How to Have Safe Sleep With Your Baby

Bed-Sharing or Co-Sleep With Your Baby

Kath + Belle understands your needs to be close with your baby, especially the newborns. Even when you decide to co-sleep with your baby. Co-sleep means to share a bed or other sleep surface (also known as co-sleeping) with their babies. Regardless where your baby will sleep, it is important to make sure your baby is having a safe sleep all the time. 

Let’s dive deeper into the topic of safe sleep and understand the necessary steps for reducing the risk of SIDS/ sudden infant death syndrome. Most parents share the same bed with their babies because it makes feeding easier. Studies have shown that about half of all suffocation deaths among infants happen in an adult bed. Thus, the safest option is to have a baby crib.

Despite the studies and the risks, these may not stop all parents from sharing beds with their babies. We know however, that families also share beds, and so we recommend making your bed a safer place for babies.

When Not To Sleep Together 

Before we proceed further, these e are some of the circumstances in which co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous:

1. Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the same bedroom)
2. Either you or your partner have had prescription drugs that can make you both drowsy.
3. Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol before sleep.
4. Don’t co-sleep if either parent is excessively tired.
5. Your baby is a premature baby or born in low weight.
6. Do not  sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby

Follow the recommendation above for both you and your partner to have a safe sleep and reduce the risks of SIDS. 

Can I Share The Bed With My Baby?

Not everything is all bad and there is some good news too. Many mothers find that their babies are happier and some things are easier when they share a bed. It is something mothers have been doing through the ages. Some of the advantages to sleeping near your baby, including:

• A more settled baby
• Easier to breastfeed
• Mothers can sleep better while meeting your baby’s needs at night
• Deeper and stronger bond between parents and babies

Safe Sleep Tips For Parents With Babies

Kath + Belle has prepared some guidelines on how to have a safe sleep while co-sleep with your baby:

1. Keep all the duvets, pillows and blankets away from the baby.
2. Make sure there are no loose ties or cords dangling from pajamas or your sleeping clothes.
3. Do not sleep with your pet or other siblings.
4. Place the baby to sleep on their back.
5. Remove other items that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or cause them to overheat. 
6. If you are significantly overweight, consider separate sleeping surfaces.
7. Make sure the mattress is firm, flat, clean and clear.