Miya Pearson
Co-sleeping with a baby is a controversial topic, with some sources advising against it due to the risks associated with the practice, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation. However, other sources argue that co-sleeping can have benefits, including convenience for breastfeeding mothers and improved bonding with the baby. Some cultures also traditionally practice co-sleeping, and it is argued that the presence of an adult can help regulate a newborn's breathing and reduce stress. When considering co-sleeping with a 7-month-old baby, it is important to weigh these risks and benefits and take necessary precautions to ensure the baby's safety, such as creating a safe sleep environment and avoiding co-sleeping when tired, unwell, or under the influence of substances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Co-sleeping is not recommended by the AAP and Red Nose due to the risk of SIDS, suffocation, and strangulation. However, some studies suggest that bed-sharing without other hazards only raises the risk of SIDS by about threefold. |
| Benefits | Co-sleeping can help with breastfeeding, make it easier to respond to babies during the night, and promote bonding. It may also lead to longer overall sleep for both adults and babies. |
| Risks | Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including SIDS and fatal sleep accidents, especially if the baby is under 12 months old. Other risks include suffocation, strangulation, and the baby falling out of bed. |
| Recommendations | If co-sleeping, ensure the baby sleeps on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface in a clear, smoke-free, and well-ventilated area. Keep the baby's head and face uncovered, and avoid using loose materials or bedding that could cover their head. Do not co-sleep if you or your partner smoke, consume alcohol or drugs, or are extremely tired or unwell. |
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What You'll Learn
Co-sleeping is controversial and can be dangerous, but it has benefits
Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, with a baby is a controversial topic, with some sources advising against it due to safety concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Red Nose Australia, for example, do not recommend co-sleeping due to the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation. They advise that infants sleep in a crib, bassinet, or cradle in the same room as their caregiver for the first 6 months.
However, other sources argue that co-sleeping has benefits and can be made safer by following certain guidelines. Anthropologist James J. McKenna, who has studied infant sleep for 40 years, asserts that human babies are "contact seekers" and that their survival depends on proximity to their mother's and father's bodies. He and his colleagues found that when adults and babies sleep together, they sleep more lightly and wake up more frequently, which creates more opportunities for caregivers to check on their babies and for babies to adjust their breathing to match the adult's breathing. This mutual regulation of physiology has been referred to as a biological "jumper cable" effect. Additionally, co-sleeping can make breastfeeding easier and promote bonding between parents and babies.
To make co-sleeping safer, it is recommended to follow guidelines such as ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, keeping their head and face uncovered, using a safe sleeping bag instead of adult bedding, and avoiding co-sleeping when tired, ill, or under the influence of substances that impair awareness and responsiveness. Some sources also suggest placing the mattress on the floor to prevent the baby from falling, moving the bed away from walls and other objects, and creating a separate sleep space for older children in the same room.
While co-sleeping may have benefits, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and take precautions to create a safe sleep environment for the baby. It is always advisable to consult with a pediatrician or healthcare professional for specific recommendations and guidelines regarding co-sleeping and safe sleep practices for infants.
In summary, while co-sleeping is controversial due to safety concerns, it has potential benefits for breastfeeding, bonding, and regulating the baby's physiology. When deciding whether to co-sleep, it is essential to weigh the benefits against the risks and take appropriate measures to create a safe environment for the baby.
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Co-sleeping can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Co-sleeping is when babies sleep on the same surface as another person, such as a parent or sibling. It can be intentional, such as when parents bring their babies into bed with them, or unintentional, such as when parents fall asleep on a couch holding their baby. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, including accidental suffocation and accidental strangulation. However, it is important to note that the risk varies depending on several factors, and not all experts agree that bedsharing is universally unsafe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends against bed-sharing due to concerns about SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. They cite studies that show an increased risk of death, even in the absence of hazardous circumstances. However, some researchers and statisticians argue that the AAP's studies do not paint the full picture, and that it may be time for the US to reassess its recommendation.
The risk factors for SIDS include a small sleep space, soft bedding, maternal smoking, high tog value of clothing and bedding, and low birth weight. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS by introducing additional hazards, such as the possibility of the infant's head covering with bedding, the caregiver rolling over onto the infant, and thermal stress from the additional body heat of adjacent adults. These risks are particularly relevant for younger infants and babies whose parents smoke.
To reduce the risks associated with co-sleeping, it is important to create a safe sleep environment. This includes ensuring the baby's face and head are uncovered, removing soft items like blankets and pillows that can cause suffocation, and providing a firm, flat, and level surface for the baby to sleep on. It is also recommended that parents avoid co-sleeping if they smoke, use alcohol or drugs, or are feeling extremely tired or unwell.
While co-sleeping can have benefits, such as facilitating breastfeeding and bonding, it is important for parents to carefully consider the potential risks and take the necessary precautions to create a safe sleep environment for their baby.
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Co-sleeping can be safer if you follow certain guidelines
There are several risks associated with co-sleeping, including sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation. However, studies suggest that bed-sharing, when no other hazards are present, only raises the risk of SIDS by about threefold. The risk of SIDS is already very low for healthy babies, and co-sleeping can be made safer by following certain guidelines.
Firstly, it is recommended that you do not co-sleep if you or your partner smokes, uses alcohol or drugs, or takes any medication that causes heavy sleep or impairs your ability to respond to your baby. It is also important to ensure that your baby is healthy and that they were not born pre-term or small for their gestational age.
Additionally, it is crucial to create a safe sleep environment. This includes ensuring your baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a space that is clear, not too hot, and smoke-free. Keep your baby's face and head uncovered and remove any pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, or other items from their sleep space.
Breastfeeding mothers may find co-sleeping easier as they can automatically position their bodies next to their babies in a way that is safe and comfortable. However, if you are formula-feeding, it is recommended that you sleep alongside your baby on a separate surface rather than in the same bed.
By following these guidelines and staying informed about the risks and benefits of co-sleeping, you can make co-sleeping safer for you and your 7-month-old baby.
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Co-sleeping can be intentional or unintentional
Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, is a common practice among parents and their babies. It involves sleeping on the same surface as another person, such as a parent or sibling. Co-sleeping can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional co-sleeping is when parents bring their babies into bed with them to sleep, while unintentional co-sleeping occurs when parents fall asleep on a couch or chair while holding their baby.
A study by Monash University found that nearly 45% of Australian families intentionally or unintentionally co-sleep, including bed sharing. The study also revealed that parents' intentions to co-sleep influenced their perceptions of sleep quality, family functioning, and overall satisfaction. Fathers who intentionally co-slept reported significantly better perceived sleep quality than those whose children slept in unintended locations.
Unintentional co-sleeping can occur when parents are feeding or comforting their baby and unintentionally fall asleep. This can happen on a couch or chair, which can be risky as it may obstruct the baby's airways and lead to suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be brought into the bed for feeding or comforting but returned to their own crib or bassinet when the parent is ready to sleep.
Intentional co-sleeping allows parents to make informed decisions about their sleeping arrangements and take steps to create a safe sleep environment. This includes ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a clear, smoke-free, and well-ventilated area. It is important to keep pillows, bedding, and other items away from the baby to prevent covering their head or causing overheating.
Additionally, there are certain circumstances where co-sleeping is not recommended, such as when the parent or partner smokes, consumes alcohol or drugs, or takes medication that causes heavy sleep. Other factors to consider include prematurity, low birth weight, and any illness in the baby or parent. In these cases, it is crucial to plan for a separate and safe sleep space for the baby, such as a cot or bassinet in the same room as the parents.
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Co-sleeping can help with breastfeeding and bonding
Co-sleeping can be a convenient option for breastfeeding mothers. It can make night-time feeds easier as the mother doesn't have to leave her room to feed the baby. This can positively impact the mother's sleep, as she can often wake up only briefly to help her baby latch and then go back to sleep.
Research has found that mothers who co-sleep tend to breastfeed for longer and keep exclusively breastfeeding for longer than those who do not co-sleep. A UK study found that breastfeeding mothers who also co-slept were more motivated to breastfeed past the six-month mark. This may be because co-sleeping makes night-time feeds easier and more convenient, and because it is comforting for both the baby and the mother.
Co-sleeping is also associated with lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies, especially those who are exclusively breastfed for two months or longer, have lower rates of SIDS than formula-fed babies. This may be because when breastfeeding at night, the mother typically forms a C-shape around the baby as they nurse in a side-lying position. This position prevents the mother from rolling over onto the baby. Other researchers suggest that physical closeness between a breastfeeding mother and her baby helps regulate the baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.
However, it is important to note that co-sleeping is not always safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing for at least the first six months of a baby's life, but advises against bed-sharing. Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents, especially if the mother or her partner smokes, uses alcohol or drugs, or is extremely tired. Sleeping on a couch or chair with a baby is always unsafe, as it can obstruct the baby's airways and lead to suffocation. If you are planning to co-sleep, it is important to take steps to make it safer, such as ensuring the baby sleeps on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a clear space away from pillows, blankets, and other objects that could obstruct their airways.
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Frequently asked questions
Co-sleeping with a child under 12 months is considered risky by some sources. However, others claim that for babies older than 3 months, there is no increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when no other hazards are present. If you choose to co-sleep, it is important to ensure your baby can breathe easily by keeping their airways open.
Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of SIDS, accidental suffocation, and strangulation. The risk of SIDS is heightened by factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs. Sleeping on a soft surface, such as a sofa or waterbed, is also unsafe.
Co-sleeping can help with breastfeeding and make it easier to respond to your baby during the night. It can also promote bonding, improve overall sleep, and benefit the baby's growth and stress levels.
To reduce risks, ensure your baby sleeps on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface. Keep the sleep space clear of pillows, blankets, and other objects that could obstruct their airways. Additionally, avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke, consume alcohol, or take drugs that affect awareness.
