Bed-sharing with a baby is a controversial topic. Some believed that it can be beneficial for both parents and infants. While others say bed-sharing is not only dangerous for babies but potentially deadly.
It’s natural for parents to want to be close with their babies as much as possible. Even when sleeping. That is why many moms and dads prefer sleeping in the same bed with their little ones. Bed-sharing promotes parent-infant bonding and helps baby feel warm, comfortable, and secure. Some parents also take advantage of it to: (1) make breastfeeding more convenient at night. (2) help baby fall asleep faster. And (3) allow moms to get more sleep at night.
However, some healthcare professionals believed that the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) outweigh the benefits of bed-sharing with babies. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged one to twelve months old. According to studies, infants who sleep in adult’s bed are 40 times more likely to die from suffocation than babies who sleeps in cribs. In the US alone, 69% of infants who died between 2004 to 2012 were bed-sharing at the time of death.
Researchers found adults’ beds have many potential risks for babies. These includes:
It is important for infants to sleep on a firm mattress without any pillows, blankets, toys, or other items by their side. This is because babies lack the ability to escape potential threats. For instance, removing a cloth that is covering their nose or mouth which can suffocate them.
Although bed-sharing is not recommended by many doctors, co-sleeping is highly encouraged. Co-sleeping is when parents and infant sleep in one room, close to each other, but are not sharing the same bed. Bed-sharing is a type of co-sleeping.
Here are some ways to safely co-sleep with your baby.
There is no golden rule when it comes to co-sleeping with a baby. But it is critical to never let an infant sleep alone in a room, without the presence of a committed adult. Whether to bed-share or not depends on circumstances. Consider all the possible choices you have. Make an informed decision based on what you learn from this article and what you think can work best for you and your baby.
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