Safe Co-sleeping Practices with Your Infant

Co-sleeping with your infant is a natural and beautiful part of parenting. Co-sleeping promotes bonding, feeds to overwhelmed mums/dads and allows both baby and parents to have a deeper sleep. When co-sleeping is done safely, it is believed to be beneficial for both parents and baby.

For parents who would like to co-sleep with their infant, it’s important to keep safety in mind and be aware of safe practices that can be applied when co-sleeping.

This article takes an in-depth look at safe co-sleeping practices that parents can use to ensure their infant is safe and secure while co-sleeping.

Safe Co-sleeping Environment

The first step in co-sleeping safely with your infant is to create an environment that is safe for your baby. This includes removing potentially hazardous items such as loose blankets, soft toys, bumpers and pillows from the bed. Babies should only sleep on a firm mattress with no loose bedding.

It’s also important to ensure that your infant is not placed between two adults in the bed, and instead is placed up against one of the parents. Safety rails can also be used to ensure that the baby can’t roll off the bed.

Safe Positioning of Your Infant

When positioning your infant for co-sleeping, it is important to ensure that the baby is lying on their backs. Unfortunately, some bedding products are made to encourage the baby to sleep on their tummy. It is also important to ensure that your baby’s whole body is visible at all times.

This means that you should never place any covers over your baby’s head, as this can present a safety risk. If it is too warm to sleep without a cover, use a thin and lightweight blanket to swaddle your infant securely.

Ensure that your baby is kept out of arm’s reach while co-sleeping, as well. This will help to create a safe environment for your infant and it can also help with facilitating more restful sleep for both parents and baby.

Choosing the Right Co-sleeping Product

When it comes to products for co-sleeping with your infant, it is important to choose items that are designed for safe sleep. Here are some important considerations when selecting products for co-sleeping:

• Choose cribs that conform to safety standards set by the government and other well-known medical organizations.
• Opt for bassinets and portable beds that offer secure and comfortable support for your infant.
• Be sure to only pick products with age-appropriate safety features.
• Look for products that will keep your baby warm and comfortable at night.
• Select furnishings and materials that are non-toxic and free of chemical treatments.

Conclusion

By following the safe practices outlined in this article, parents can ensure that their infant is safe when co-sleeping with them. It’s important to remember that the safety of your baby is of the first importance, so make sure to always keep the safety of your baby in mind when co-sleeping.