Should Your Baby Sleep In Your Bed?


Should baby sleep in her own cot or in bed with you? There are arguments on both sides.

Advantages:

  • Breastfeeding is easier, you don't have to get out of bed to feed baby.
  • Many mothers say baby sleeps better - if she wakes she is more likely to be comforted by your presence and heartbeat and go back to sleep.
  • You will probably get more sleep.

Disadvantages:

  • Other mothers can't sleep for fear that they will roll over and suffocate baby.
  • They wake any time baby makes the slightest noise.
  • Baby's presence could disrupt your sex life.

According to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths:

  • The safest place for baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a cot in your room.
  • Never sleep together on a sofa or armchair - it is easy to suffocate baby who can sink into the soft surface.
  • Do NOT share a bed with baby if you smoke, have drunken alcohol or take drugs that make you drowsy, are ill or are exceptionally tired (how many mothers are not exceptionally tired in those first few months?!!).
  • A recent study found the risk of infant death doubles if you co-sleep before 8 weeks, and if either partner smokes this risk increases eleven-fold.
  • Make sure baby's room is not too warm, use lightweight sheets or blankets in her cot, and never use duvets or pillows as she may overheat or suffocate.


More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 403, exiting

More Babies & Toddler Information:

Related Articles

Baby Names - Unique or Common?
When it comes to naming their baby, people tend to fall into two broad categories: those who want a unique name for their child and those who feel fine selecting a common name. Naturally, there are pros and cons to both choices.
Getting to Know Your Baby: Babys Second Month Guide
Time has flown. Your little bundle of joy has been a partof your home for more than four weeks now.
Hello World: Babys Third Month Guide
Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is moreto life than crying, feeding and sleeping? Your wishes arecoming true. Your baby's third month will see her becomemuch more interactive.
You Have a New Person at Home: Babys Fourth Month Guide
Baby is into her fourth month now.Mom's milk is best.
Your Little Gourmet: Babys Fifth Month Guide
Baby smiled her real smiles at you and you were so charmed,you decided nothing could be better. But baby has more instore for you in her fifth month.
Special Considerations for the Premature Baby
Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be healthy and safe. Normally a pregnancy lasts nine months.
Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs
Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery. Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life; eventually however, all parents will have to invest in some type of baby crib to ensure their newborns safety during the early years.
Will Kids Eat Vegetables? Yes, They Will!
You have made the decision to grow your own vegetables. It's a lifestyle and health choice.
How Toddlers Can Benefit From Using Computers
It's a fact of life that we live in an electronic age and computers are a bigger part of our lives than ever. It's unlike anything we've seen in the past and kids are learning to use computers at younger ages.
Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever
Sooner or later, your new baby will develop a fever. It would be a rare child who does not come down with some kind of illness that elevates their temperature.
Babies Bring Love, Joy, and Opinions
The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has opened the door for unwanted advice from family and friends, alike. If you're a mother, specifically a "new" mother, at first you may appreciate the guidance of those that went before you.
Healthy Baby Food - When is the Best Time to Start Consuming Juice?
Mother's milk is the best choice for healthy baby food. However, there will be a time when the baby needs much more nutrients as they grow up and mother's milk can not accomplish it anymore.
Simple Steps to Calm Your Fussy Baby
It's everyone's fear - the fussy baby who requires constant attention. You can't put him down, talk on the phone, or cook dinner. Often times these babies don't nap or sleep for long stretches of time, making it even more taxing on you.
Fun and Appropriate Kids Halloween Costumes for School
With the recent trend in Halloween costumes leaning towards sexier designs, it can be hard to find an appropriate (but fun) Halloween costume for your child. If you need to find a fun Halloween costume for your child to wear to school, here are some ideas for finding that coveted costume.
Head Injuries in Children
A head injury can be deceptively dangerous. What may seem to be an innocent head ache may be something more. Conversely, something which you think looks fatal maybe nothing at all. Between 2000 and 2001, 33% of all admissions to hospitals concerning a head injury were under the age of 15