In most cultures, babies have slept with their mothers throughout the ages, giving the baby a sense of security and strengthening the bond between mother and infant. But is it the right way?
There are many good reasons in choosing to sleep with your baby, some of which are;
* Making nighttime breastfeeding more convenient.
* Makes it easier for a nursing mother to get her sleep cycle balanced with her baby's.
* Helps babies fall asleep more easily, especially during their first few months and when they wake up in the middle of the night.
* Helps bond parents who are separated from their babies during the day regain the closeness with their infant.
*Baby's breathing is stimulated and body temperature are regulated according to studies.
*Having the physical contact with your baby gives you peace of mind when you are close enough to touch him.
*Gives a mother more rest, not having to get up to tend to baby.
The drawbacks of co-sleeping with your infant would be;
* Being snuggled closely together, it is more likely, that the baby may wish to feed more.
* You may not sleep well as the baby's movements may awaken you.
* You may worry that you may end up rolling on the baby, making it difficult to have a peaceful sleep.
* All your time and attention is devoted to the baby, so your husband may feel neglected and this could affect your sex life.
* Your baby will get used to sleeping with you and it will be harder to have him to be ready and willing to sleep independently.
There are instances where you should definitely not sleep with your baby, these would be;
* Being under the influence of any drug (such as alcohol or tranquilizing medications) anything that diminishes your sensitivity to your baby.
*Obesity itself may cause sleep apnea in the mother, so being obese could be a danger to your infant, in addition to the smothering danger of all the extra weight.
*You are exhausted from lack of sleep. An exhausted mother could fall asleep breastfeeding and roll over on the baby.
*Sleeping with an infant on a waterbed, couch, soft bed, or any bed that has gaps or ledges into which the infant can fall.
It is for the parents to decide what is best for their baby and what their comfort level is. Also, there are other options aside from sleeping with baby. Many parents choose to put them in their own crib, but if you wanted a middle ground, a good idea would be to put a three-sided crib right up against your bed, within arms' length making it easier to check on him, yet still having your own space.
Have any questions? Ask Nina at snugglemesoftly@ourfamilyebiz.com or visit our website
www.ourfamilyebiz.com. The author grants full reprint rights to this article. You may reprint and electronically distribute this article
so long as its contents remain unchanged and the authors' byline remains in place.
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