Is It Safe to Sleep With Your Baby?

by Tina M Smith It is very common that a lot of parents sleep with their baby for better monitoring and having their little one close. Bu...

by Tina M Smith

It is very common that a lot of parents sleep with their baby for better monitoring and having their little one close. But is it safe? Here are some advantages and disadvantages of sleeping with your baby.

Is it safe to sleep with your baby?

A lot of parents start sleeping with their baby because they think it is safer and they can monitor their lovely baby easier. But, by sleeping with your baby, you have some advantages and some disadvantages too.

Many parents are still deliberating if it is safe to sleep with your baby and a large debate is always active if this is a good habit to have or not? But, what do the experts say? Find out what are the experts saying even though they have so divided opinions.

Though opinion is divided, in some cases, most experts agree that you do not put your baby to sleep with you in bed until he is at least three, or six months old.

It is common practice for parents to put their baby to sleep with them in bed. Most of them are doing it because of a desire for a greater intimacy with the baby or to facilitate getting up at night, waking up the baby and breastfeeding.

Scientists warn parents to avoid this practice, especially because it is proven that sudden infant death syndrome is five times more common if the baby shares a bed with their parents.

But, another study found that babies who sleep alone are more susceptible to stress, while those who sleep with their parents have more immunological benefits from breastfeeding.

What most of the experts say is that It is recommended to make sure that your baby is sleeping in the same room with you but in her/his separate crib. By doing so, you keep your lovely baby close, so you can easily monitor and breastfeed during the night but meanwhile, you avoid the sudden infant death syndrome by having him/her in the same bed with you.

If you decide to sleep with your baby, then you should pay attention to the following tips and suggestions:
Choose the firm mattress for your bed. A baby can suffocate in too soft mattresses under too warm and heavy blankets.
Make sure that the bed set - you do not want any holes and spaces in which a baby can fall or slip off the bed.
Use the light blanket type and as thin as possible.
During the night, check that the baby's head uncovered.
Never sleep on a sofa or couch with the baby.
You can buy a dual baby monitor for better monitoring.
Do not sleep with your baby on the bed with double mattress (in which the baby can get stuck).
Dress your baby lightly for sleep (between parents is a lot warmer than in the crib).
Do not place the baby with another small child to sleep with you.
Never leave a baby alone in bed.

So, in conclusion, Is it safe to sleep with your baby? Some experts say it is some others say it is not.

Most of those who don't agree with this habit, say that the sudden infant death syndrome has a higher chance happening by sleeping together in the same bed.

Even though it can be a bit scary, you can only safely sleep with your baby after it is about 3-6 months old.

If you can't wait for so long, you can buy your baby a separate crib and place it next to your bed, so you have him/her close to you without having in the same bed with you.

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