Natures Cradle's Blog

Recently on our Facebook Page, after posting this photo of my beautiful little girl in a knitted cocoon, the subject of Co Sleeping somehow was brought up.  We had Tizzie Hall in there declaring her views on safe sleeping, and there started ‘that’ discussion.

Which leads me to the question – What is Co Sleeping?

According to Wiki  ‘Co-sleeping is a practice in which babies and young children sleep close to one or both parents, as opposed to in a separate room. It is standard practice in many parts of the world, and is practiced by a significant minority in countries where cribs are also used.’

While Co Sleeping can simply mean sleeping near to baby, such as having the baby’s Cot or Bassinet in the same room as the parent’s bed, it also includes Bed Sharing with parents.  Co Sleeping seems to be yet another label we have given to a practice which has always and naturally been done by many, but since the 19th Century, numbers of ‘Co Sleepers’ in certain areas of the world have reduced because of the introduction of the Crib.

But have numbers of Co Sleepers really reduced, or has the admittance of Co Sleeping reduced?

In Australia, if you speak to many families they will be all too quick to say ‘Oh no we would never Co Sleep!’.  But when we enquire further, we find out that they do at times end up falling asleep on the couch with their children, in the rocking chair while feeding, or the children end up in their parent’s bed at some stage during the night. Isn’t that Co Sleeping?

If we were to compare the two scenario’s, the parents who readily admit to Co Sleeping, and therefore take measures to make sure that the sleeping environment is safe in which to do so, and the parents who won’t admit to Co Sleeping and inevitably end up doing so in some way or another, which sounds more dangerous? What would happen if we didn’t use the label of Co Sleeping so that parents could remove their focus from denying doing so, and instead discuss sleeping safely?

I am not afraid to say that I Co Sleep! I am not afraid to openly state so.  Why? Because by openly stating so, I take the responsibility to make sure that our sleeping environment is safe. I will shout it from the rooftops in the hopes that by me saying so and sharing how I do it safely, it pulls some other parents out of denial so that they will also take the measures needed to sleep with baby safely.  There is a huge difference between making a purposefully safe sleeping environment for baby, and having an environment that is not safe that baby or child sometimes shares.

I don’t however feel that I need to explain why I co sleep, after all we all have our own reasons.

I do want to share how I make sure that our Bed Sharing sleeping environment is safe.

• When a baby is small too small to move him/herself out if a bigger person were to roll on or smother them, the baby shares with mum alone. Or if sleeping alone with mum is not possible the baby should be placed between mum and the wall or bed rail, and dad/partner/older children next to mum on the other side. Why? Mum is usually the one who is more in tune with the baby, other family members can more easily roll onto baby while remaining oblivious to doing so.
• In that same vein of not wanting to put the baby at risk of somebody rolling on them, never ever sleep in the same bed or surface as a baby if you have been drinking or taking drugs. An intoxicated state makes you less aware, and more likely to roll onto baby.
• It is better to have a firm mattress so that when an adult is lying next to baby, the baby does not roll into the adult. A product such as a Snuggle Bed can help keep baby on a safe flat surface.
• Baby should have his/her own safe bedding, never share your bedding with your baby. Why? Your bedding could easily be pulled up over baby when you are heavily sleeping.  Therefore, your bedding should be kept well away from baby, including pillows, so much so that when you are wriggling around during the night you could not accidentally move your bedding over to baby.
• The perfect bedding for baby is simply something that baby wears, no cushions or pillows, loose blankets, or anything that is able to be pulled up over baby’s face.  This type of bedding is a bit different to what you would use if baby is in a cot where sheets/blankets can be tucked underneath. Suitable products for Bed Sharing include Baby Zippered Sleeping Bags, Wraps that cannot unravel, and Zippered Swaddle Wraps, they all good safe options.  If baby needs to be warmer, layering clothing is a good idea, however many of these products come in weighted options to allow you to put them in a warm enough Bag or Wrap for them not to need further bedding.
• No smoking! This isn’t a safety issue specific to Bed Sharing, however important to note here because a baby sleeping next to a smoker is subjected to breathing in more toxins. Smoking poses a health risk to babies in terms of SIDS and other ongoing health conditions such as Asthma.
• Have a specific, set, safe spot for Co Sleeping. Being open to Co Sleeping does not mean letting go of all safety rules to fall asleep on the couch. It means having a specific space set up, such as a spot in the family bed, so that you can ensure it is safe at all times.
• Be realistic! Are you a very heavy sleeper? Is your weight heavy enough to cause a dip even in your firmer mattress? Do you have hair that needs to be tied back? Do you wear nightwear with long straps or items that can become wrapped around baby? Remove all of your risks, even if you are the risk, it is important to take notice of what you have that could harm baby during sleep when you are not awake to be taking notice.
• If ever you need to leave baby alone, for example to get up earlier in the morning than when baby wakes, make sure you thoroughly inspect the environment to remove any dangers. If your baby is on the move, be aware that they can roll around the whole bed, so even removing your sheets and bedding when you leave may be important, as they can become tangled up. Be open to getting baby up with you, even into a sling, when you need to get up in the morning, just to ensure their safety.
• Do not EVER Co Sleep unless you and those with you are fully committed to taking all measures to ensure it is done safely.

When done safely, there is plenty of evidence to show that Co Sleeping actually helps promote a safer sleeping environment than when a baby is left alone in another room.

I personally follow all of the rules above. My currently little baby is put into a snug baby wrap when I get up in the morning to get the older children ready for school.  We sleep restfully, and safely, and I don’t have to wake up bleary eyed in the morning from trying to stay awake in a chair feeding my baby during the night.  It suits us perfectly.

So if you do Co Sleep or Bed Share, somehow, somewhere, please do be open about it so that others can feel they can also, and do it safely!

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