Where should a baby sleep? This is a confusing topic for many parents as there are diverse opinions about this issue. Should a baby sleep in the crib where there are side panels to protect him/her from falling off? Or in the bed where he/she can feel the warmth, love, and comfort from his/her parents?
It’s natural for parents to be protective with their children. That is why many moms and dads want to keep their babies close to them as much as possible. Even when sleeping. But did you know that co-sleeping with a baby increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? In fact, it is the leading cause of death for babies under one year old.
Co-sleeping with a baby is found to cause suffocation. This is because the duvets, blankets, and pillows in adults’ bed can flip-over to babies’ head. Covering their nose and mouth making them unable to breath. Aside from that, the little ones can be trapped in the small gap between the headboard and the soft mattress which can cause them strangulation.
Another danger of co-sleeping with a baby is the possibility of adults or older siblings rolling over their body. Many parents are sleep-deprived from taking care of their baby. This causes them to sleep deeply and become unaware of the surroundings. With regards to older siblings, kids move a lot when they sleep and may not notice rolling over their younger sister or brother.
Moreover, babies may fall off the bed, bump in cemented wall, or get caught in curtains or cords that are nearby the bed.
Despite the dangers of co-sleeping with a baby, healthcare professionals still recommend and consider it best for babies. Provided co-sleeping is done with safety guidelines.
The risks of co-sleeping with an infant come from bed-sharing. As mentioned, the duvet, blankets, and pillows may end up in babies’ face causing suffocation. There are possibilities of babies getting rolled over, falling off, getting caught in curtains, or bumping their head to the wall. The safest place for a baby is a crib or a basinet beside their parents’ bed.
This way, the baby is on a separate surface with his/her parents or siblings but close enough to be monitored and their needs taken care of. There are cribs and basinets that are designed to be a bedside sleeper. Which side panels can be removed or folded down, allowing parents to be beside with their little one but on distinct parts.
When putting a baby on a crib or basinet remember to remove, blankets, pillows, and toys, to avoid suffocation. Do not drink alcohol when co-sleeping with a baby so you can easily wake up and attend to the infant’s need when he/she cries. It is also important to let the baby sleep on his/her back, not on the chest as this can cause SIDS.
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