Co-sleeping doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby should sleep in your
bed with you, it also means that he can sleep in his own cot, but in
your room. Here’s how this can benefit both of you.
Co-sleeping is often thought to be synonymous with bed, but
co-sleeping can also mean putting your baby to sleep in the same room as
you, but in a separate bed.
If your baby is six months or younger, experts recommend that healthy
babies be placed on their backs to sleep, as this is the safest
position for them. Putting your baby to sleep on his back decreases his
chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and this applies to both
naps and nighttime sleeping.
Babies naturally fall into a day and night pattern
It’s not uncommon for newborns to mix up their days and nights. Many
babies sleep extra soundly throughout the day, but can be restless or
wakeful much of the night. Keeping your baby close during the day with
lights and noise around can eventually help her to stay a bit more alert
in the daytime. Keeping your baby close at night, and meeting her needs
within a quiet and dim environment, can help her learn to rest more at
night. Babies also rest more soundly when they feel secure.
Co-sleeping helps babies practice rousing themselves
While having your newborn falling into, and staying in, a deep sleep
might sound appealing, it isn’t the type of sleep they were designed to
have. Co-sleeping babies are frequently aroused when close with their
moms. This practice rousing can help babies learn to use their
self-preservation instinct to rouse when there’s any danger such as
overheating, being too cold, or something blocking their airway. Being
able to easily rouse may reduce the risk of SIDS.
You can meet baby’s needs without getting up
Most babies need to be fed, soothed and changed at night. If your
baby is close by, you can do all of these things while in bed and remain
in a restful state. Getting out of bed, walking down the hall, changing
nappies on the changing pad, feeding in a glider and soothing baby back
to sleep requires being fully awake and alert.
Experience less night time crying
Babies sleep well when they feel secure. Knowing you are close will
likely help your baby sleep better and fuss less. Moms who co-sleep are
able to notice earlier signs of hunger and needing to be changed. Often,
mom can wake during these early signs and meet baby’s needs before they
begin to cry. When you co-sleep there is less trying to get baby to
settle down to sleep before laying them down. This often means less
crying. You aren’t likely to have an overtired baby fussing and
protesting being laid down in her cot to sleep.
Co-sleeping helps with bonding and secure attachment
A secure attachment between a baby and her caregiver is an emotional
bond that leaves the baby feeling secure and cared for. This secure
attachment, fostered in infancy, translates to a child feeling secure
and knowing their caregiver will always return to meet their needs.
Children with a secure attachment often respond appropriately to
situations, show minimal distress when their mother leaves, and are
happy when their mother returns.
Co-sleeping helps with maintaining an adequate milk supply
Feeding on demand helps moms maintain an adequate milk supply. Breast
milk production is a supply-and-demand process. Babies are designed to
eat frequently at night and co-sleeping helps to make it easier for mom
and baby to meet this need.
Co-sleeping can mean better rest for mom
Moms, not just babies, are wired for closeness. Studies show that new
moms do not experience a better quality of sleep if their babies go to
the nursery at night. Co-sleeping may not guarantee more sound sleep for
every mom, but many report sleeping better knowing their baby is safe
and close by. Moms also release oxytocin when they are close to their
babies, which improves sleep quality and is also great for
breastfeeding.
As your baby grows, he may not want to sleep all night, every night,
with you. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll eventually find a method
that works for you, your partner, and your baby.
No comments:
Post a Comment