Co-Sleeping

Lately a broad campaign has been visible regarding the dangers of co-sleeping with your baby. Large chain stores and other retailers have joined the chorus and print ads, public service announcements and billboards are cropping up in all directions. What did the cavewomen do? While that really simplifies what, these days, has become more complicated, it is a good question to ask when posed with the latest must-do parenting advice.

Cave-mommies most definitely slept with their babies but they also breastfed and likely did not have problems with obesity, smoking or alcohol and drug abuse. These are all risk factors to consider regarding co-sleeping. In addition, note the cave-mommy reference. Super-dads are far more common these days but they are still not as intuitive as mothers nor are they engineered like them. When mothers and babies are nestled together both their breathing and their body temperatures regulate to one another. A father and baby will doze off together and both will wake up hot and sweaty.

As a breastfeeding mom, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse are all on your list of don’ts. As a new parent getting obesity under control is an important goal. Not only should your health be a priority so you can properly care for your children and increase your chances for a long life, but also in your capacity as a role-model. Children can inspire many changes and this one will benefit the whole family.

Barring any of the aforementioned issues, there are ways to make co-sleeping a safer part of life. Naps are a great way to catch up on sleep and during brief ones your sleep remains light. Learning the art of the 15-20 minute cat-nap when you become a parent is one of the key ways to stay in sanity’s shallow end. Lie next to your baby on top of the bedclothes. If they require a blanket, use one of their own. If you get into your bed, keep baby above any sheets and blankets. Remove any pillows from around their head. At night, particularly with newborns and both parents in bed, a co-sleeper is the best option. This keeps baby safe in their own nook and still close at hand for daddy to comfort and mommy to feed.

Like most widespread campaigns to the public the warning of catastrophe often stems from isolated circumstances with specific causes. There are no shortcuts in parenting. Keep yourself informed, trust your instincts and make choices that are best for your baby. That is what they are born trusting you to do.

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