Once a baby is born, the mother and child are almost inseparable - be it their waking hours or sleep time. And co-sleeping has very much been a part of most cultures. This might seem quite natural considering that babies extensively rely on the mother for all their needs. However, of late, co-sleeping has come under the scanner regarding the potential risks that it might pose.
According to a 2013 study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the percentage of infants who share a bed with a parent, another caregiver or a child more than doubled between 1993 and 2010, from 6.5 percent to 13.5 percent.
Some of you may be surprised by this increase, given the well-documented health risks that have been linked to infant bed-sharing.
In 2014 Medical News Today reported on a study from the AAP citing bed-sharing as the primary cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - the leading cause of death among infants aged one to months.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that among 8,207 infant deaths from 24 US states occurring between 2004 - 2012, 69 percent of infants were bed-sharing at the time of death.
Why Co-Sleeping Can Harm Your Baby A Lactation Consultant in Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health and a strong advocate for breastfeeding, said the overwhelming majority of research opposes co-sleeping, even though it can facilitate breastfeeding.
Safety concerns were the number one reason cited in the research. These are the safety concerns of physicians, healthcare professionals and parents:
Overlying
Smothering
Suffocation
Entrapment
Strangulation
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Other concerns with co-sleeping involve the delayed development of infant independence and sleep issues. For example, an infant who falls asleep with its parents in the same bed has been observed to have more sleep problems associated with shorter and more fragmented sleep.
A Safe Alternative to Co-Sleeping
Use a bedside sleeper! The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission defines a bedside sleeper as a strong frame assembly that may be combined with a fabric or mesh that is intended to provide a sleeping environment for infants and is secured to an adult bed. Bedside sleepers are intended to be secured to the adult bed for the infant to be in proximity (within arm’s reach) without being in the adult bed and posing the risks stated above.
Benefits of Bed Sharing Here's what moms need to know about bed sharing:
No need for pillow support
Every time a mom puts her little one in a cradle/crib, she’ll stuff enough number of pillows and blankets around to ensure that the baby is safe. Yet, these very pillows and blankets become a huge suffocation hazard. But when your baby sleeps with you, you’ll eliminate the need for these things.
Improves skin-to-skin contact
The skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the new-born is very essential for the overall development of the baby. Babies cannot express themselves, but they feel the most secure when they are around their mothers.
Helps on demand feeding
Babies have tiny stomachs that fill as easily as they empty, which obviously makes them wake up often during night-time. Co-sleeping helps you keep up with on-demand feeding immediately without having to get up from the bed or bending over to pick your baby.
Not all statistics are accurate
These are generally based on questionnaires and most mothers are not comfortable admitting facts. You might take a few tips into consideration, but do not take the results of such surveys as the final word.
The mother’s instinct
The biggest concern of co-sleeping assumes that a tired mother might end up rolling over and suffocating her little one. Possible? Maybe. However, a mother’s protective instincts toward her baby are very strong. So, it is quite unimaginable that she’ll pose a threat when she can wake to even the feeblest of cries.
Mother can sleep better
According to research, breastfeeding mothers who co-sleep with their babies tend to sleep much better. Although they seemed to wake up quite often to feed, the research concluded that breastfeeding mothers slept more when they co-slept with the new-born.
You can respond promptly to their needs
Since babies’ immunity is yet to develop, it makes them ill quite frequently. During such times when your baby might be suffering from fever or minor illnesses, having you close to him/her gives your baby a sense of security. This, in turn, helps them calm down easily and you can attend to their needs promptly.
When to avoid
If you have been through a complicated childbirth procedure or a surgery that required the use of anaesthesia, it is advisable that you avoid co-sleeping with your baby. Some medicines and surgical anaesthesia might leave you with a drowsy effect, proving to be potentially harmful to your baby. In such a situation, ensure that either your spouse or a family member, like your mother, take over the baby’s responsibilities for a while.
In today’s time and age, where both parents might be working, finding family-bonding time might become a luxury. However, having your baby sleeping with you helps you bond better with him/her.
Though the subject of co-sleeping can be confusing and even controversial, the most important thing to remember is that room-sharing is safe and recommended to reduce SIDS risk during infancy.
If you’re having trouble figuring out a sleeping arrangement that works for your family and is safe for your baby, talk to your paediatrician. The key is to find the healthiest solution for your little one so that you can all get a better, safer night's sleep. Sources:
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