Gina Johnson
Co-sleeping with a newborn can be beneficial for breastfeeding and bonding, but it's important to prioritise safety. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket, free from toys, blankets, and pillows. However, if you choose to co-sleep, there are ways to reduce risks and create a safer environment. This includes ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, keeping the environment smoke-free, and removing any items that could cause strangulation. It's also crucial to avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke, consume alcohol or drugs, or are extremely tired or unwell.
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What You'll Learn
- Place your newborn on their back to sleep, never on their side or tummy
- Keep the newborn's head and face uncovered
- Avoid co-sleeping on a couch or armchair
- Remove pillows, sheets, blankets, and toys from the newborn's sleep space
- Avoid co-sleeping if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain medications
Place your newborn on their back to sleep, never on their side or tummy
While co-sleeping is not recommended, it is still practised by many parents. If you choose to co-sleep, it is important to know how to do it safely. One of the most important things to remember is to always place your newborn on their back to sleep, never on their side or tummy. This is because sleeping on the back is proven to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The "Back to Sleep" campaign, which began in 1994, has helped to significantly reduce SIDS deaths in the United States. Research suggests that SIDS may occur when an infant's airway becomes blocked, and the part of their brain that would normally wake them isn't developed or functioning properly. By placing your newborn on their back to sleep, you can help to keep their airways open and protect them from SIDS.
It is also important to keep your baby's head and face uncovered and to keep all pillows, bedding, and soft toys away from them. Make sure your baby can't fall out of bed and that they are positioned away from the edge, never between two adults or next to other children or pets. Additionally, use a safe sleeping bag with no hood and with your baby's arms outside the bag.
It is recommended that babies sleep in their parents' bedroom in their own crib or bassinet until they are at least 6 months old. This allows for close monitoring while still providing a safe and separate sleep space.
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Keep the newborn's head and face uncovered
Keeping a newborn's head and face uncovered is crucial for safe co-sleeping. Here are some essential instructions to follow:
Firstly, ensure that the baby's sleep space is clear and free from any items that could cover their head or face. This includes removing hats, bonnets, beanies, hoods, and extra clothing. Newborns lose excess heat through their heads, so it is important to prevent their heads from being covered to avoid overheating. Additionally, remove any soft objects, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and sleep positioners, from the baby's sleep area. These items can pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation.
Secondly, when using blankets, it is crucial to tuck them securely under the baby's arms, ensuring they cannot slip over the baby's head. The "feet-to-foot" position is recommended, where the baby's feet are at the end of the crib or cot, preventing them from wriggling down under the covers. It is advised to use lightweight, well-fitting baby sleeping bags or lightweight layers of blankets to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Thirdly, avoid co-sleeping with a baby if you have long hair. Tie your hair back to prevent it from covering the baby's face. This also applies to slings or carriers; ensure that the material does not cover the baby's head.
Lastly, maintain a smoke-free environment when co-sleeping with a newborn. Exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke is harmful to babies, and adult smoking increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
By following these instructions, you can help ensure that your newborn's head and face remain uncovered during co-sleeping, reducing the risk of overheating and accidental suffocation.
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Avoid co-sleeping on a couch or armchair
While co-sleeping with your newborn can help with breastfeeding and bonding, it is important to remember that it isn't always safe. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, there are ways to reduce risks and make co-sleeping safer.
One of the most important things to remember is to avoid co-sleeping on a couch or armchair. Falling asleep on a couch or armchair with your baby is extremely unsafe. The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is 50 times higher for babies who sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. They are also at risk of accidental death as they can easily slip into a position where they are trapped and cannot breathe. Therefore, if you think you might fall asleep on a couch or armchair with your baby, move them to a safer place to sleep, such as a cot or Moses basket.
In addition to avoiding co-sleeping on a couch or armchair, there are several other safety precautions to keep in mind when co-sleeping with your newborn. Firstly, always place your baby on their back to sleep, never on their tummy or side. This helps to keep their airways open and protect them from suffocation. Keep your baby's head and face uncovered by keeping pillows, blankets, and other bedding away from them. Make sure your baby sleeps on a firm, flat, and level surface, and remove any items that could create a strangulation risk, such as jewellery, teething necklaces, or loose hair.
Additionally, it is important to consider your own habits and health when co-sleeping. If you or your partner smoke, drink alcohol, or take any medications that cause heavy sleep or impair your ability to respond to your baby, it is recommended to avoid co-sleeping. It is also important to ensure that your baby's sleep environment is smoke-free, as exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke can harm them.
Remember, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or bassinet that meets safety standards. However, if you choose to co-sleep, following these safety precautions can help reduce risks and make the experience safer for your newborn.
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Remove pillows, sheets, blankets, and toys from the newborn's sleep space
Although co-sleeping can help with breastfeeding and bonding, it is important to remember that it isn't always safe. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, there are ways to reduce risks and make co-sleeping safer.
One of the key recommendations to ensure the safety of your newborn when co-sleeping is to remove pillows, sheets, blankets, and toys from the newborn's sleep space. Soft or loose items in the crib, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, quilts, comforters, and toys, can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation. Newborns have very little head and neck control, and they do not have the muscle strength or coordination to move away if their nose and mouth become obstructed by these items. Therefore, it is recommended to wait until your baby is at least 12 months old before introducing these items into their crib.
To keep your newborn warm when sleeping, you can dress them in layers, ensuring you do not over-bundle them as this can also increase the risk of SIDS. On cold nights, you can rely on swaddles or sleep sacks, which are wearable items that won't cover your baby's face and risk suffocation. It is also recommended to maintain a comfortable temperature in the nursery, typically between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, when co-sleeping, it is important to place your baby on their back to sleep, never on their side or tummy. This will help keep their airways open and protect them from accidental suffocation.
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Avoid co-sleeping if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain medications
Co-sleeping with a newborn can be a rewarding experience for parents and can help with bonding and breastfeeding. However, it is important to be aware of the risks involved, especially if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain medications. Here are some important considerations and guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your newborn:
Firstly, it is strongly recommended to avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke. Exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke is harmful to newborns and increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is crucial to maintain a smoke-free environment both before and after the birth of your child. If you are planning to quit smoking, seek appropriate support and resources to help you through the process.
Additionally, alcohol consumption and certain medications are also risk factors that should be considered. If you or your partner consume alcohol or take drugs, including prescription medications, that cause heavy sleep or impair your awareness and responsiveness, it is advised not to co-sleep. These substances can increase the risk of rolling over onto your baby and can lead to suffocation or other sleep accidents. It is important to be vigilant about your level of alertness and ability to respond to your newborn's needs while co-sleeping.
Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid co-sleeping if your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Newborns who are premature or underweight may have respiratory problems or other health issues that make them more vulnerable. In such cases, it is safer to have your baby sleep in their own separate space, such as a cot or bassinet, placed in the same room as you. This allows for easy access and responsiveness while reducing potential risks.
Lastly, it is essential to create a safe sleeping environment by removing potential hazards. Keep adult bedding, pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and other loose items away from the baby to prevent strangulation and suffocation hazards. Ensure that your baby's sleep space is clear, firm, and flat, and consider using a well-fitted sleeping bag designed for newborns. Additionally, avoid co-sleeping on sofas, armchairs, or any soft surfaces, as these can obstruct your baby's airways and lead to suffocation.
Remember, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot that meets safety standards. However, if you choose to co-sleep, it is crucial to be well-informed about the risks and take the necessary precautions to create a safe environment for your newborn.
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Frequently asked questions
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, if you do co-sleep, it is important to know how to reduce the risks. Place your baby on their back to sleep, never on their side or tummy, and keep their head and face uncovered. Make sure all pillows, sheets, blankets, and toys are away from the baby.
Co-sleeping can be dangerous if the baby's airways are obstructed, which can lead to suffocation. The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also higher for babies who sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. Co-sleeping with a parent who smokes also increases the risk of SIDS.
If you choose to co-sleep, consider placing your mattress on the floor to reduce the risk of injury from falling. Keep your baby's sleep space clear of any hazards, such as pillows, blankets, or toys. Use a safe infant sleeping bag instead of adult bedding. Avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke, consume alcohol, or take any drugs or medications that cause heavy sleep.
Many parents find that bringing their baby into their bed is easier for night-time care and breastfeeding. Australian research has found that around 75% of babies spend at least some time co-sleeping in the first 3 to 6 months of life.
