Longmont United Hospital

Is Cosleeping Healthy for My Baby?

IN INFANTS' HEALTH

While cosleeping, the practice of allowing your infant to sleep in your bed, is common in cultures around the world, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the practice. Before you make a decision about cosleeping and your infant, take time to learn the facts.

Why Some Parents Cosleep

Proponents of cosleeping make a point of talking about the benefits of sharing a bed with your baby. What are those possible pluses?

  • Because mother and baby are close at night, cosleeping encourages nighttime breastfeeding.
  • Cosleeping can encourage the baby and the nursing mother to get on the same sleep cycle.
  • In an environment where both parents work, cosleeping can encourage closeness.

Reasons to Choose a Bassinet

Although there are benefits, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission both advise parents to avoid cosleeping. While the organizations acknowledge that cosleeping is common in other cultures, the differences between mattresses, bedding, and cultural differences themselves may account for the lowered risk of infant death from cosleeping outside the country.

Between 1990 and 1997, at least 515 deaths were linked directly to cosleeping. The four biggest infant risks associated with cosleeping include:

  • Suffocation caused when an adult rolls on top of or next to a baby.
  • Suffocation caused when an infant becomes trapped or wedged against objects including headboards and nightstands.
  • Suffocation resulting when an infant lies facedown on a waterbed.
  • Strangulation caused when part of the infant’s body becomes lodged in a headboard or a footboard.

When making your choice about cosleeping, do so with caution. And remember, even if you do choose cosleeping, never allow other children in the bed with the infant.

Normal Nighttimes

In a perfect world, your little one would sleep through the night from day one. However, sleeping through the night isn’t common for babies during the first month of life. Why? Because your little one is still trying to learn the difference between day and night.

Encouraging the Internal Clock

With a few simple cues from you, your baby will slowly but surely learn the difference between night and day. What can you do to help your baby sleep through the night? Try:

  • Avoiding stimulating behaviors during nighttime feedings. Keep your voice soft and the lights low.
  • Keeping your baby active during the daytime hours, but not to the point of discouraging sleep. Overly tired infants don’t sleep more at night. In fact, they may sleep less.
  • Establishing a relaxing nighttime ritual including bathing or reading that may help your baby sleep.
  • Cuddling, rocking, and snuggling your baby. It will help your newborn relax and allow the two of you to bond.

If all else fails, remember that in a few months, the 2 a.m. feedings will be a distant memory.

Sources: www.aap.org, www.kidshealth.org. © 2013. True North Custom Media. All Rights Reserved.