Many parents, especially those who are actively breastfeeding, sleep with their babies. There has been some controversy on the topic, however, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommended against co-sleeping in 1999. Attachment parenting advocates, such as Dr. Spears disagree with the CPSC and promote co-sleeping as a way to bond with your baby and promote healthy sleep. In addition, sleeping with you baby can help minimize the work involved with night feedings as you and your baby can settle back to sleep quickly.
Step 1
Remove all extraneous blankets, pillows, decorative throw pillows, bolsters and other bed paraphenalia from your bed. Keep the bed set up simple; bottom sheet, top sheet, blanket and pillow.
Step 2
Keep your blanket pulled up no higher than your waist if your baby is in bed with you. This minimizes the potential for suffocation hazards. Your body heat combined with the baby's body heat, sleep sack and swaddling should be sufficient. If your baby seems cold, keep her hat on at night.
Step 3
Purchase an attachment to your bed that connects to your baby's sleeping area (see Resources). A co-sleeper is similar to a bassinet, without the fourth side. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for assembly and attach it to your bed, placing it on the side of the partner responsible for night feedings. Swaddle your baby, using his preferred technique (arms in or out). Nurse the baby to sleep or get him settled for bed in the manner to which you wish him to become accustomed and place him in the co-sleeping area until he awakens for a his next feeding.
Step 4
Use a guardrail to prevent your bay from rolling out of bed if your baby is sleeping in your bed without a co-sleeping apparatus (see Resources). Though this is unlikely, babies who have gained the ability to roll over particularly need protection from rolling and falling to the floor. Attach the guardrail to the bed frame and make up the bed. Then press the guardrail down firmly to attach securely to the side of the bed. It should make a clicking sound as it locks into position. When going to sleep, swaddle your baby in her preferred style (arms in or out). Either nurse her to sleep with her lying next to you, or get her to sleep in the manner in which you would her to become accustomed.
Step 5
Put the baby to sleep on her back. If she falls asleep while nursing, gently roll her onto her back to avoid any potential for breathing problems when lying on her tummy while sleeping.
Step 6
Keep the baby near his mother, rather than in between the parents. Many mothers report that they are so attuned to their child's needs that there's no possibility of rolling on to of the baby, according to AskDrSears.com.
Step 7
Consider a bassinet. If you're worried about your baby's safety, yet yearn to keep him near at night, use a bassinet that will keep the baby right next to your bed without placing him actually in bed with you.
Things You'll Need
- Baby blanket
- Sleep sack
