When my baby and I were sent home from the hospital my very wise midwife shared a few safety tips in case I decided to co-sleep with my newborn. Co-sleeping something I never imagined doing. As a Nurse I had been taught the ABCs of safe sleep. Alone. On their back. In the crib. However, a few weeks into being a new mom, I found myself staying up all night holding my baby. He was ‘colicky’ and would only sleep if I held him upright. I would stay up all night nursing and holding him while I binge watched Netflix. One night I woke suddenly, as I felt him starting to slip out of my arms. Thankfully I woke up before anything bad happened. Consequently, after this scare, I knew it would be safer for us to co-sleep.
Co-Sleeping in Canada and around the World
In many parts of the world bed-sharing is very normal but in North America many families are advised against bed-sharing with their infant. The Joint Statement from The Public Health Agency of Canada identified bed-sharing as a risk factor for SIDS and many health care providers reccommend against bedsharing with an infant. Co-sleeping is something that a lot of North American families never intend to do but it’s something that ends up happening for many exhausted new parents in an effort to get just a little more rest. According to a Canadian Community Health Survey in 2015 over 60% of parents reported bed-sharing with their infant at some time.
Even if you don’t intend on bed-sharing with your infant it can be helpful to learn how to do it safely incase it happens unintentionally. Keep reading for a few tips on how to reduce the risks if you
Steps you can take to Reduce the Risks of Co-sleeping
1. Don’t smoke inside or outside.
- Infants exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Even the smell of smoke on your clothes can be irritating for your baby’s airway. Importantly, if you smoke, it is not recommended to bed-share with your infant.
2. Don’t consume drugs or alcohol.
- Do not consume anything that will make you sleepy, harder to wake up, or less aware. This includes prescription medications.
3. Don’t allow pets or older children into the bed.
- If you are co-sleeping with another child as well, consider putting your baby in a bedside bassinet.
4. Do prepare a Safe Surface.
- A firm mattress that is on the floor or on a low bed frame is safest. Adult mattresses are not designed or tested to be safe for infant sleep. The firmer the mattress is, the safer it will be for an infant. Avoid falling asleep with your baby in a recliner, a rocking chair or on the couch. Remove any extra blankets and pillows from the bed.
5. Do place your baby on their back to sleep.
- Adult mattresses are not designed for infants and it is safer for your infant to sleep flat on their back than on their stomachs or sides.
6. Do Breastfeed.
- Research indicates that breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.
7. Do pack any gaps around the mattress.
- It’s safest to have the bed in the middle of the room away from any walls. This helps avoid any entrapment risks. Pack any gaps between the headboard or wall with rolled blankets
8. Do tie long hair back.
- Remove cords or anything dangling from the sleep area as well.
9. Don’t swaddle your baby.
- Your baby will be warm sleeping next to you, avoid overdressing them. We also want baby to be able to easily more and wake you as needed, by freely moving their arms and legs.
10. Don’t pull blankets up past your waist.
- Dress warmly so you will be comfortable. A button up flannel top works well in the cooler months. It’s safest to sleep with no blankets but if you do use a blanket, it should be made of a light and breathable material. Avoid having heavy comforters or duvets in the bed.
11. Do sleep in the cuddle curl position.
- This is a protective position that helps keep you from rolling onto your baby and keeps your baby away from your blankets and pillows. In order to do do this, you sleep on your side with your knees slightly bend and your lower arm outstretched.
Do you still have questions about infant sleep?
In summary, sleep is very personal and if co-sleeping is what feels right for your family ensure you understand the risks and how to reduce them. Many mothers find that they do get more rest this way and that it helps support extended breastfeeding.
If you are looking for support, and want to learn more about infant sleep, what’s normal and strategies to optimize your family’s rest contact me to learn more about my sleep packages.
References
Deena Zimmerman, Melissa Bartick, Lori Feldman-Winter, Helen L. Ball, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.ABM Clinical Protocol #37: Physiological Infant Care—Managing Nighttime Breastfeeding in Young Infants.Breastfeeding Medicine.Mar 2023.159-168.http://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2023.29236.abm
Public Health Agency of Canada. Joint Statement on Safe Sleep: Preventing Sudden Infant Deaths in Canada. 2011. Available at: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/childhood-adolescence/stages-childhood/infancy-birth-two-years/safe-sleep/joint-statement-on-safe-sleep.html. Accessed May 25 2018.
McKenna JJ, McDade T. Why babies should never sleep alone: A review of the co-sleeping controversy in relation to SIDS, bedsharing and breast feeding. Pediatric Respiratory Reviews 2005; 6:134-152
