5) Put baby to sleep on his back.
6) Avoid putting pillows or comforters or other soft bedding under or near baby. If you feel cold, instead of putting more blankets on, put more clothes on. You can put your baby in a blanket sleeper, but avoid over-heating which can increase the risk of SIDS--two people sleeping close together create a lot heat!
7) Try to avoid co-sleeping if you are exhausted because then you might sleep more soundly and be less aware of your baby. It's sometimes when parents feel the most tired that they finally "give in" to the family bed. Try co-sleeping before you get exhausted; sometimes when co-sleeping is done from the beginning mom and baby enjoy it more and can get restful sleep. Also try to avoid exhaustion by not taking on too much responsibility in the beginning after baby's birth, and sleep when baby sleeps.
8) Avoid co-sleeping when you take medication that makes you sleepy or less aware of your surroundings or if you have been drinking.
9) Don't co-sleep if you are morbidly obese.
10) Don't co-sleep if you smoke because that has been found to increase your baby's risk of SIDS.
11) Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep. Pull the blanket up only as far as your baby's chest.
12) Consider alternatives such as the Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper or taking one side off of baby's crib and pushing it flush against your bed. Or you can put baby to sleep in a bassinet or crib in your bedroom.
Remember that the current Western practice of putting babies to sleep alone in their own beds and in their own rooms is only a century or two old and that co-sleeping commonly occurs in most human cultures around the world. There are many benefits to co-sleeping, and when you are careful and use common-sense, the family bed can be a safe and fulfilling way to practice nighttime parenting. In my next article we will take a look at some of the many benefits!
Links
Soft Bedding May Be Hazardous To Babies
Is Sleep-Sharing Safe? by Dr. Bill and Martha Sears
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