Co-Sleeping Pros And Cons
Co-sleeping: A New Mother’s Guide to Understanding Bed Sharing
Salisha Wood
BEHS 343
University of Maryland University College
March 10, 2013
__SW____ I have completed the UMUC modules on How to Avoid Plagiarism and APA style.
ABSTRACT
This research paper will touch upon the family bed and the pros and cons of co-sleeping. The words co-sleeping and bed sharing are interchangeably used when referring to the act of infants or children sleeping in the same bed as their parent(s). This paper will provide advice to a first time mother who has questions about sleeping arrangements for her soon to be new baby. As a registered nurse, the topics that will be addressed include …show more content…
both pros and cons of infants who share a bed with parents rather than sleeping on their own. I would also discuss safety precautions to take and how to prepare for co-sleeping if parents decide that this is best for their baby.
OVERVIEW Motherhood can be a wonderful experience but the birth of a new baby can be stressful. There are many questions new mothers have and unfortunately babies do not come with an instruction manual. This leaves new mothers lost and unprepared on how to raise their new baby in a way that works best for them both. One question that new mothers have revolve around sleeping arrangements for their newborn. Before you choose on what type of sleep arrangement you would like for your infant, you should first understand how a baby sleeps. During the first few months of life, a baby’s sleep pattern is irregular. They sleep many times a day but only for a few hours a time. According to kidshealth.org, “ a baby sleeps as much as 16 or more hours a day and awake only when it is time for a feeding” (Dowshen, 2011). Babies also sleep mostly during the day and stay awake for longer periods at night. New mothers find the first few weeks difficult as they struggle to adjust to the sleeping patterns of their newborn. Some newborns may sleep at longer times for one day and shorter periods on another day. Co-sleeping can be defined as a parent allowing their child (newborn or not) to sleep in the bed with them at night (Dictionaires, 2010). Many studies have been conducted concerning bed sharing for newborns, some discuss the risks and others discuss the benefits of co-sleeping. This topic can be controversial because many argue that best place for a newborn is in the bed with their parents, but others may question how safe doing so actually is.
In the United States, many couples choose to co-sleep with their infant because they love the idea of sleeping next to their newborn. Others do it for the convenience of not having to go far when the baby wakes at night. Some do not co-sleep with their infant for various reasons. Today I will share with you both the benefits and risks associated with bed sharing. Bed sharing is not for everyone; therefore what may work for others may not work for your family. It is also important that you take into consideration your infant’s health and well being while thinking about bed sharing. I hope you will find this information useful when making your decision on what type of sleeping arrangement you wish to provide for your newborn.
BENEFITS OF CO-SLEEPING
Firstly I will discuss the benefits associated with co-sleeping. One advantage that is linked with bed sharing is gaining a closer bond between mother and child. According to pediatrician William Sears, bed sharing is one of the five B’s of attachment parenting. Attachment parenting allows the baby and the parent to be physically connected. This helps parents learn who their child is and also care for them in a sensitive way (Brooks, 2011). Forming an attachment or bond with your baby is important because you will learn how to attend to their needs. Because babies are unable to talk, you as the parent must be able to notice their non-verbal cues for food, comfort and love and satisfy them. Once you and your baby have developed this bond, your child knows that they are safe with you. Some parents are able to bond with their newborn right away and others it takes some time. Co-sleeping allows mothers who work most of the day to spend time bonding with their newborn at night. In today’s society, mothers have active roles in the workplace and some have careers. They mostly spend most of the day at work and commuting back and forth. Bed sharing may be the only time for them to spend quality time with their new infant.
Bed sharing encourages more touching, looking and a faster maternal response than those children who did not co-sleep (Romack, 2011). This study shows that co-sleeping encourages a bond between mother and infant and it carries on toward their school age years. Bonding between mother and child is important and it is also natural. While some mothers may be able to easily bond with their infant automatically others may not. Co-sleeping is one way that builds the bond between the two.
Another benefit of co-sleeping is it encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies at night. Breastfeeding is both beneficial to both mother and baby. Breastfeeding provides the most natural and safe form of nutrition for your developing baby. It is recommended that mothers nurse their babies for the first six months of life to protect them from a vast array of illnesses. As stated previously, many mothers are consumed by working and find little time to nurse their baby during the day. Depending on the type of work mothers may be too busy to pump their breast milk and store for daytime consumption. Also, depending on the mothers work environment, finding a private place to pump may be difficult.
Co-sleeping allow working mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Babies wake numerous times at night for the first few weeks, giving mothers the opportunity to nurse their newborn. Tennessee State University conducted a study to see if there were any correlation between co-sleeping and breastfeeding. Participants for the study were chosen from Clarksville OB/GYN clinic because of the high number of births. The study found that there was a significant connection between co-sleeping and breastfeeding. Of those who participated, 50% of the infants who co-slept with their mothers were breastfed for an extended time (Gorman, …show more content…
2010).
Mothers who nurse in the bed noticed that they might only need to help their baby latch on for feedings. Once the baby was finished they would wean their self off of the mother. As stated earlier, mothers who work may be unable to nurse their infant during the day. Co-sleeping allow mothers to nurse at night easily and without having to miss a great deal of sleep. Another benefit of co-sleeping is better and longer sleep durations for both you and your baby. Because babies have irregular sleep patterns for the first few months of life, your sleep may get disrupted more than one time a night. Falling back to sleep after waking and attending to your baby may be difficult. Some mothers are fully awake after changing a diaper, making a bottle or just from feeding and burping their baby. Some parents find that there infant may sleep for a longer time if they slept in the bed with them, this maybe because of the security and comfort of having their parent at their side. Other parents may find it easier to attend to their infant while they are lying next to them. For parents who do not co-sleep they take a longer time to attend to their infant, especially if they sleep in another room.
One study examined how popular sleep advice influenced what things parents did about their babies sleep patterns. It was noticed that although sleep deprivation was expected in the first few months following childbirth, parents were looking for a fast way to keep their infants sleep through the night. The participants of this study were first time parents with infants under the age of 11 months. Parents were given a survey to assess their infants current sleep patterns. Participants were placed into three groups, No Cry, Cry, and Co-sleeping. These parents utilized a wide range of resources concerning advice to help their baby sleep better. It was found that parents from the Cry and No Cry groups found that their babies had a more problematic sleep pattern than those babies that co-slept with their parents. Parents of the Cry group strongly believed that letting their infant cry it out at bed time did not suit their parenting style. The No Cry parents experienced the most stress and frustration at night. Co-sleepers found that their infants slept better throughout the night. Parents were able to quickly respond to their infant needs, which allowed them to return to sleep quicker (Gordon & Hill, 2008). Co-sleeping promotes a feeling of security with infants, which leads to better sleep patterns at night.
As there are benefits to co-sleeping there are also risks associated with it.
DISADVANTAGES OF COSLEEPING One disadvantage of co-sleeping that concerns parents is that of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS occurs when a healthy baby dies in his or her sleep for no apparent reason. The exact cause for SIDS is unknown but medical professionals have found reasons that may explain this misfortune. One practice that was found to cause SIDS was bed sharing. Because the exact reason for sudden infant death syndrome is unknown, one study was conducted to see the relation between bed sharing and unexplained infant death. Information from the National Child Death Review Case Reporting System (NCDR-CRS) was gathered from 9 states (California, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) for analysis. The study population consisted of data from children who died between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008. All of the infant’s deaths were unknown but occurred while they died in their sleep. It was found that 24% of those infants who died were asleep in their crib at the time, 47% were in an adult bed and 13% slept with an adult on the couch (Schnitzer, Covington, & Dykstra, 2012). There are other risk factors that are associated with SIDS but sharing a bed with your infant was amongst one of the popular reasons of infant death. Mothers who smoke, younger infants and those who slept on pillows or blankets, increased the chances of infants dying in their sleep (Blair & Moon, 2012). Another disadvantage that is associated with co-sleeping involves the overall safety of the infant. Parents may co-sleep with their infant for many reasons and they unintentionally think of their bed as a danger zone for their infant. Your bed may seem as a safe place for you as an adult but it poses many risks for your tiny newborn. Most parents think that the safest place for their newborn is closest to them; however, the closest place may not be the safest place. Some dangers that pose as a threat to your infant’s life include falls, suffocation and being smothered. Falling off the bed may seem impossible during the earlier months of your baby’s life, as he or she may not move much. However as they grow older, and begin to move around falls can become very hazardous. Regardless of how high or low your bed is positioned, a fall from any distance can be very dangerous for your baby. Parents usually sleep with pillows, blankets or sheets at night and as common as it may seem it can be very dangerous to your baby’s well being. Some babies move around in their sleep, by tossing and turning their bodies or just their heads and can easily suffocate with these items. Some babies may move their arms while sleeping and cover their faces with loose sheets or blankets that parents keep in the bed. Other babies may roll in their sleep and their faces may become jammed close to a pillow or a part of their parents body also causing them to suffocate. Another danger that babies face while sleeping in their parents been is the risk of being smothered. Although most parents are aware that their baby is in the bed with them but they may unintentionally smother their infant while sleeping. One factor that may contribute to parents accidently smothering their baby while sleeping is being overtired. Lack of at least 7 to 8 continuous hours of sleep can leave a person’s body exhausted. When a person is exhausted it is easy for them to be aware of their actions while they sleep as their body relaxes. Another contributing factor that may lead to smothering your infant is the use of drugs or alcohol. Drugs, prescription or not and alcohol can impinge on your awareness while sleeping with your infant. Because of this, it may be harder for a person to realize that they have smothered their baby or may be slow to react to their actions. Combining one or more of these factors may increase the chances of parents smothering their baby while they co-sleep. Apart from factors that are damaging to the infant, co-sleeping also is an inconvenience to the parents. The beginning weeks of parenting can be straining on a relationship because both mother and father are adjusting to the new schedule of their infant. In the beginning you and your partner may not feel intimately as close to each other like you did before your baby arrived which is normal for many couples. Factors such as adjusting to your new baby free body, a lack of sleep, and your body trying to regulate your hormones all account for your lack of intimacy with your significant other. As time progresses you and your partner will begin to feel close to each other again. Many couples that choose not to co-sleep may find that bedtime is the best time to spend quality time with each other because of their new hectic daytime schedule. Couples who do allow their infant to share the bed with their baby may find this difficult because they have a busy day schedule and an infant sleeping with them. Many couples put aside spending quality time with each other in order to get a good nights rest. This may cause problems in a relationship as time goes by. Expressing love for one another after a baby may be difficult because of the lack of sleep and a busy schedule. It is important that parents get to show each other the love that they feel for each other from time to time. Keeping a balance between intimacy for your loved one and time for your infant is vital to a stable relationship with your spouse. This ensures that your loved one has someone they can go to for comfort during this stressful time. It is important that couples talk and consider all the risks associated with co-sleeping before making a decision. There are other disadvantages that associated with co-sleeping other than the sudden infant death syndrome, safety issues and a lack of intimacy. Should you decide that the risks do not outweigh the benefits and co-sleeping is right for your family, you should take the right steps and prepare your baby’s sleeping environment to ensure safety.
PREPARING YOUR INFANT FOR BED SHARING
Co-sleeping is practiced in other countries and other cultures and has not experienced as many risks as the United States. One reason for this may be that other cultures prepare themselves for co-sleeping with their baby. If you and your partner decide that co-sleeping is the best decision for your family, here are a few ways to prepare your family in doing so safely.
According to babycenter.com, a well-known baby magazine, when choosing co-sleeping for your family it is important to have a safe sleep environment. They suggest, “Baby proofing” your room to lessen any potential dangers from occurring. Babies should not be left on an adult bed without any adult supervision. This will eliminate your baby from falling off the bed from rolling around. They also recommended placing your mattress on the floor, so in the unlikely event the baby were to fall, he or she would not fall far. If your bed is jammed to a wall, ensure there are no spaces that your baby could fall into and get trapped (BabyCenter, 2011).
It was also recommended that you put your baby on his or her back to sleep and they sleep on a firm mattress.
Waterbeds, egg crates or pillows were not suggested for your baby to sleep on because this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. If you are extremely tired or have consumed alcohol, it is not recommended that you co-sleep with your baby. Extreme tiredness or alcohol can lower your alertness and could potentially put your baby in danger. Avoid sleeping with clothing that has loose strings, jewelry or excessive blankets or sheets to prevent suffocation or strangulation. One way to eliminate extra blankets is to dress the baby warmly. Be careful not to dress them in too much clothing as this may cause overheating which is also dangerous for newborns. Many parents have found that attaching a bassinet or crib close to their bed was better (BabyCenter, 2011). This too is a form of co-sleeping as the baby shares the same sleeping environment as the parent. Whichever form of co-sleeping you choose, be sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above in order to keep your baby safe as possible while he or she
sleeps.
PREPARING YOUR INFANT FOR SOLITARY SLEEP
After reading this information about the benefits and risks associated with co-sleeping, you may decide that co-sleeping is not the best choice for your family. It is also important to follow safety guidelines whether you will be sharing a bed with your baby or not. Babies who sleep with their parents and those who do not still need to follow the rules, of being placed on their backs to sleep, removing loose blankets and toys from sleep area and sleeping on a firm mattress.
Parents who do not co-sleep may find having a nighttime routine beneficial in helping their baby sleep comfortably at night. The reason for having a routine is babies who solitary sleep has to soothe him or her self back to sleep on their own. Babies who share a bed have the security of their parent with them after their nighttime awakenings. A study was conducted to observe parents and examine how mothers handled bedtime practices would predict sleep disruptions among infants during the first 24 months of age. Some infants were allowed to sleep with their parents (co-sleeping) and others did not. Mothers kept a diary of their sleep routines and the number of times that their baby had sleep disruptions. If was found that babies whose mothers were emotionally attached to them at nighttime and those with quiet nighttime activities had less sleep disruptions than those infants whose mothers were unemotionally attached (Teti, Mayer, Kim, & Countermine, 2010).
A nighttime routine will help give a “sequence of calming activities that will prepare them for sleep” (Brooks, 2011). A nighttime routine can consist of limiting arousal and playtime a few hours before bedtime. This will prepare the baby’s mind for sleep. Giving the baby a bath and reading books or singing lullaby’s can help calm and soothe the baby for bed. Because babies are learning how to properly sleep at night, it is important that everything be done the same each time to prevent confusion. For example if you begin by bathing your baby then reading a book and then singing a lullaby, the nights that follow should mimic that same pattern. You should also be consistent with the environment in the room. If your baby falls asleep to dim lights and soft music, when he or she awakes at night, there should be dim lights and soft music to help them soothe themselves back to sleep (WebMD, 2013). According to the same article in www.webmd.com, “Help your baby to sleep through the night” it is best to put your baby to sleep in their crib while they are still awake but on the verge of falling asleep. Once you put your baby in their crib you should leave the room. If your baby should cry for your attention you may return to reassure them that everything is okay but then leave back out. This takes time and may seem difficult at the beginning but it will improve as the days go by. This method will help your baby to fall asleep on its own.
CONCLUSION
The practice of bed sharing is common in other countries but has become very controversial here in the United States. The on-going debate about co-sleeping is based around its connection to sudden infant death syndrome and other risks such as infant safety. Despite the benefits associated with bed sharing such as increased bonding between mother and baby and its encouragement of breastfeeding, many medical professionals are opposed to it.
Co-sleeping is a personal decision that is to be made between the mother and father and what they think is best for their family. Co-sleeping practices is not for everyone and therefore parents should learn about the risks and benefits associated with it before making a final decision. If from birth you decide on allowing your new baby to co-sleep or not, and then change your mind later it is completely up to you. However, whatever decision you choose it is important that you always ensure a safe sleeping environment for you infant.
Works Cited
BabyCenter. (2011, Sept 1). Sleep sharing: The family bed. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from BabyCenter : htttp:/www.babycenter.com/0_sleep-sharing-the-family-bed_7753.bc?page=3
Blair, P., & Moon, R. (2012, January). Bed Sharing and the Risk of Sudden Infnat Death Syndrome. The Journal of Pediatrics .
Brooks, J. (2011). The process of parenting. New York: Mc-Graw Hill.
Dictionaires, O. (2010, April 1). Co-Sleeping. Retrieved Feburary 15, 2013, from Oxford Dictionaries: http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definiion/american_english/co-sleeping
Dowshen, S. (2011, Sept 1). Sleep and Newborns. Retrieved Feb 20, 2013, from KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepnewborn.html#
Gordon, M., & Hill, S. (2008, Mar 1). What to do about sleep? A survey of parent 's experiences. Retrieved Mar 4, 2013, from InfantSleep.org: http://www.infantsleep.org/parentsurveyresearch.html
Gorman, K. (2010, Jan 1). Breastfeeding and Co-sleeping: A correlational Assessment. Retrieved Feb 20, 2013, from Tennesse State University : http://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AA13024619
Romack, J. (2011). Bed sharing in school age children-clinical and social implications. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing .
Schnitzer, P., Covington, T., & Dykstra, H. (2012, June). Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths: Sleep environments and circumstances. American Journal of Public Health .
Teti, D., Mayer, G., Kim, B., & Countermine, M. (2010, June 1). Maternal emotional availability at bedtime predicts infant sleep quality . Journal of Family Pshychology .
WebMD. (2013, Jan 1). Help your baby sleep through the night. Retrieved Mar 4, 2013, from WebMD : http:/www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nighttime
Salisha Wood
BEHS 343
University of Maryland University College
March 10, 2013
__SW____ I have completed the UMUC modules on How to Avoid Plagiarism and APA style.
ABSTRACT
This research paper will touch upon the family bed and the pros and cons of co-sleeping. The words co-sleeping and bed sharing are interchangeably used when referring to the act of infants or children sleeping in the same bed as their parent(s). This paper will provide advice to a first time mother who has questions about sleeping arrangements for her soon to be new baby. As a registered nurse, the topics that will be addressed include …show more content…
both pros and cons of infants who share a bed with parents rather than sleeping on their own. I would also discuss safety precautions to take and how to prepare for co-sleeping if parents decide that this is best for their baby.
OVERVIEW Motherhood can be a wonderful experience but the birth of a new baby can be stressful. There are many questions new mothers have and unfortunately babies do not come with an instruction manual. This leaves new mothers lost and unprepared on how to raise their new baby in a way that works best for them both. One question that new mothers have revolve around sleeping arrangements for their newborn. Before you choose on what type of sleep arrangement you would like for your infant, you should first understand how a baby sleeps. During the first few months of life, a baby’s sleep pattern is irregular. They sleep many times a day but only for a few hours a time. According to kidshealth.org, “ a baby sleeps as much as 16 or more hours a day and awake only when it is time for a feeding” (Dowshen, 2011). Babies also sleep mostly during the day and stay awake for longer periods at night. New mothers find the first few weeks difficult as they struggle to adjust to the sleeping patterns of their newborn. Some newborns may sleep at longer times for one day and shorter periods on another day. Co-sleeping can be defined as a parent allowing their child (newborn or not) to sleep in the bed with them at night (Dictionaires, 2010). Many studies have been conducted concerning bed sharing for newborns, some discuss the risks and others discuss the benefits of co-sleeping. This topic can be controversial because many argue that best place for a newborn is in the bed with their parents, but others may question how safe doing so actually is.
In the United States, many couples choose to co-sleep with their infant because they love the idea of sleeping next to their newborn. Others do it for the convenience of not having to go far when the baby wakes at night. Some do not co-sleep with their infant for various reasons. Today I will share with you both the benefits and risks associated with bed sharing. Bed sharing is not for everyone; therefore what may work for others may not work for your family. It is also important that you take into consideration your infant’s health and well being while thinking about bed sharing. I hope you will find this information useful when making your decision on what type of sleeping arrangement you wish to provide for your newborn.
BENEFITS OF CO-SLEEPING
Firstly I will discuss the benefits associated with co-sleeping. One advantage that is linked with bed sharing is gaining a closer bond between mother and child. According to pediatrician William Sears, bed sharing is one of the five B’s of attachment parenting. Attachment parenting allows the baby and the parent to be physically connected. This helps parents learn who their child is and also care for them in a sensitive way (Brooks, 2011). Forming an attachment or bond with your baby is important because you will learn how to attend to their needs. Because babies are unable to talk, you as the parent must be able to notice their non-verbal cues for food, comfort and love and satisfy them. Once you and your baby have developed this bond, your child knows that they are safe with you. Some parents are able to bond with their newborn right away and others it takes some time. Co-sleeping allows mothers who work most of the day to spend time bonding with their newborn at night. In today’s society, mothers have active roles in the workplace and some have careers. They mostly spend most of the day at work and commuting back and forth. Bed sharing may be the only time for them to spend quality time with their new infant.
Bed sharing encourages more touching, looking and a faster maternal response than those children who did not co-sleep (Romack, 2011). This study shows that co-sleeping encourages a bond between mother and infant and it carries on toward their school age years. Bonding between mother and child is important and it is also natural. While some mothers may be able to easily bond with their infant automatically others may not. Co-sleeping is one way that builds the bond between the two.
Another benefit of co-sleeping is it encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies at night. Breastfeeding is both beneficial to both mother and baby. Breastfeeding provides the most natural and safe form of nutrition for your developing baby. It is recommended that mothers nurse their babies for the first six months of life to protect them from a vast array of illnesses. As stated previously, many mothers are consumed by working and find little time to nurse their baby during the day. Depending on the type of work mothers may be too busy to pump their breast milk and store for daytime consumption. Also, depending on the mothers work environment, finding a private place to pump may be difficult.
Co-sleeping allow working mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Babies wake numerous times at night for the first few weeks, giving mothers the opportunity to nurse their newborn. Tennessee State University conducted a study to see if there were any correlation between co-sleeping and breastfeeding. Participants for the study were chosen from Clarksville OB/GYN clinic because of the high number of births. The study found that there was a significant connection between co-sleeping and breastfeeding. Of those who participated, 50% of the infants who co-slept with their mothers were breastfed for an extended time (Gorman, …show more content…
2010).
Mothers who nurse in the bed noticed that they might only need to help their baby latch on for feedings. Once the baby was finished they would wean their self off of the mother. As stated earlier, mothers who work may be unable to nurse their infant during the day. Co-sleeping allow mothers to nurse at night easily and without having to miss a great deal of sleep. Another benefit of co-sleeping is better and longer sleep durations for both you and your baby. Because babies have irregular sleep patterns for the first few months of life, your sleep may get disrupted more than one time a night. Falling back to sleep after waking and attending to your baby may be difficult. Some mothers are fully awake after changing a diaper, making a bottle or just from feeding and burping their baby. Some parents find that there infant may sleep for a longer time if they slept in the bed with them, this maybe because of the security and comfort of having their parent at their side. Other parents may find it easier to attend to their infant while they are lying next to them. For parents who do not co-sleep they take a longer time to attend to their infant, especially if they sleep in another room.
One study examined how popular sleep advice influenced what things parents did about their babies sleep patterns. It was noticed that although sleep deprivation was expected in the first few months following childbirth, parents were looking for a fast way to keep their infants sleep through the night. The participants of this study were first time parents with infants under the age of 11 months. Parents were given a survey to assess their infants current sleep patterns. Participants were placed into three groups, No Cry, Cry, and Co-sleeping. These parents utilized a wide range of resources concerning advice to help their baby sleep better. It was found that parents from the Cry and No Cry groups found that their babies had a more problematic sleep pattern than those babies that co-slept with their parents. Parents of the Cry group strongly believed that letting their infant cry it out at bed time did not suit their parenting style. The No Cry parents experienced the most stress and frustration at night. Co-sleepers found that their infants slept better throughout the night. Parents were able to quickly respond to their infant needs, which allowed them to return to sleep quicker (Gordon & Hill, 2008). Co-sleeping promotes a feeling of security with infants, which leads to better sleep patterns at night.
As there are benefits to co-sleeping there are also risks associated with it.
DISADVANTAGES OF COSLEEPING One disadvantage of co-sleeping that concerns parents is that of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS occurs when a healthy baby dies in his or her sleep for no apparent reason. The exact cause for SIDS is unknown but medical professionals have found reasons that may explain this misfortune. One practice that was found to cause SIDS was bed sharing. Because the exact reason for sudden infant death syndrome is unknown, one study was conducted to see the relation between bed sharing and unexplained infant death. Information from the National Child Death Review Case Reporting System (NCDR-CRS) was gathered from 9 states (California, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) for analysis. The study population consisted of data from children who died between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008. All of the infant’s deaths were unknown but occurred while they died in their sleep. It was found that 24% of those infants who died were asleep in their crib at the time, 47% were in an adult bed and 13% slept with an adult on the couch (Schnitzer, Covington, & Dykstra, 2012). There are other risk factors that are associated with SIDS but sharing a bed with your infant was amongst one of the popular reasons of infant death. Mothers who smoke, younger infants and those who slept on pillows or blankets, increased the chances of infants dying in their sleep (Blair & Moon, 2012). Another disadvantage that is associated with co-sleeping involves the overall safety of the infant. Parents may co-sleep with their infant for many reasons and they unintentionally think of their bed as a danger zone for their infant. Your bed may seem as a safe place for you as an adult but it poses many risks for your tiny newborn. Most parents think that the safest place for their newborn is closest to them; however, the closest place may not be the safest place. Some dangers that pose as a threat to your infant’s life include falls, suffocation and being smothered. Falling off the bed may seem impossible during the earlier months of your baby’s life, as he or she may not move much. However as they grow older, and begin to move around falls can become very hazardous. Regardless of how high or low your bed is positioned, a fall from any distance can be very dangerous for your baby. Parents usually sleep with pillows, blankets or sheets at night and as common as it may seem it can be very dangerous to your baby’s well being. Some babies move around in their sleep, by tossing and turning their bodies or just their heads and can easily suffocate with these items. Some babies may move their arms while sleeping and cover their faces with loose sheets or blankets that parents keep in the bed. Other babies may roll in their sleep and their faces may become jammed close to a pillow or a part of their parents body also causing them to suffocate. Another danger that babies face while sleeping in their parents been is the risk of being smothered. Although most parents are aware that their baby is in the bed with them but they may unintentionally smother their infant while sleeping. One factor that may contribute to parents accidently smothering their baby while sleeping is being overtired. Lack of at least 7 to 8 continuous hours of sleep can leave a person’s body exhausted. When a person is exhausted it is easy for them to be aware of their actions while they sleep as their body relaxes. Another contributing factor that may lead to smothering your infant is the use of drugs or alcohol. Drugs, prescription or not and alcohol can impinge on your awareness while sleeping with your infant. Because of this, it may be harder for a person to realize that they have smothered their baby or may be slow to react to their actions. Combining one or more of these factors may increase the chances of parents smothering their baby while they co-sleep. Apart from factors that are damaging to the infant, co-sleeping also is an inconvenience to the parents. The beginning weeks of parenting can be straining on a relationship because both mother and father are adjusting to the new schedule of their infant. In the beginning you and your partner may not feel intimately as close to each other like you did before your baby arrived which is normal for many couples. Factors such as adjusting to your new baby free body, a lack of sleep, and your body trying to regulate your hormones all account for your lack of intimacy with your significant other. As time progresses you and your partner will begin to feel close to each other again. Many couples that choose not to co-sleep may find that bedtime is the best time to spend quality time with each other because of their new hectic daytime schedule. Couples who do allow their infant to share the bed with their baby may find this difficult because they have a busy day schedule and an infant sleeping with them. Many couples put aside spending quality time with each other in order to get a good nights rest. This may cause problems in a relationship as time goes by. Expressing love for one another after a baby may be difficult because of the lack of sleep and a busy schedule. It is important that parents get to show each other the love that they feel for each other from time to time. Keeping a balance between intimacy for your loved one and time for your infant is vital to a stable relationship with your spouse. This ensures that your loved one has someone they can go to for comfort during this stressful time. It is important that couples talk and consider all the risks associated with co-sleeping before making a decision. There are other disadvantages that associated with co-sleeping other than the sudden infant death syndrome, safety issues and a lack of intimacy. Should you decide that the risks do not outweigh the benefits and co-sleeping is right for your family, you should take the right steps and prepare your baby’s sleeping environment to ensure safety.
PREPARING YOUR INFANT FOR BED SHARING
Co-sleeping is practiced in other countries and other cultures and has not experienced as many risks as the United States. One reason for this may be that other cultures prepare themselves for co-sleeping with their baby. If you and your partner decide that co-sleeping is the best decision for your family, here are a few ways to prepare your family in doing so safely.
According to babycenter.com, a well-known baby magazine, when choosing co-sleeping for your family it is important to have a safe sleep environment. They suggest, “Baby proofing” your room to lessen any potential dangers from occurring. Babies should not be left on an adult bed without any adult supervision. This will eliminate your baby from falling off the bed from rolling around. They also recommended placing your mattress on the floor, so in the unlikely event the baby were to fall, he or she would not fall far. If your bed is jammed to a wall, ensure there are no spaces that your baby could fall into and get trapped (BabyCenter, 2011).
It was also recommended that you put your baby on his or her back to sleep and they sleep on a firm mattress.
Waterbeds, egg crates or pillows were not suggested for your baby to sleep on because this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. If you are extremely tired or have consumed alcohol, it is not recommended that you co-sleep with your baby. Extreme tiredness or alcohol can lower your alertness and could potentially put your baby in danger. Avoid sleeping with clothing that has loose strings, jewelry or excessive blankets or sheets to prevent suffocation or strangulation. One way to eliminate extra blankets is to dress the baby warmly. Be careful not to dress them in too much clothing as this may cause overheating which is also dangerous for newborns. Many parents have found that attaching a bassinet or crib close to their bed was better (BabyCenter, 2011). This too is a form of co-sleeping as the baby shares the same sleeping environment as the parent. Whichever form of co-sleeping you choose, be sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above in order to keep your baby safe as possible while he or she
sleeps.
PREPARING YOUR INFANT FOR SOLITARY SLEEP
After reading this information about the benefits and risks associated with co-sleeping, you may decide that co-sleeping is not the best choice for your family. It is also important to follow safety guidelines whether you will be sharing a bed with your baby or not. Babies who sleep with their parents and those who do not still need to follow the rules, of being placed on their backs to sleep, removing loose blankets and toys from sleep area and sleeping on a firm mattress.
Parents who do not co-sleep may find having a nighttime routine beneficial in helping their baby sleep comfortably at night. The reason for having a routine is babies who solitary sleep has to soothe him or her self back to sleep on their own. Babies who share a bed have the security of their parent with them after their nighttime awakenings. A study was conducted to observe parents and examine how mothers handled bedtime practices would predict sleep disruptions among infants during the first 24 months of age. Some infants were allowed to sleep with their parents (co-sleeping) and others did not. Mothers kept a diary of their sleep routines and the number of times that their baby had sleep disruptions. If was found that babies whose mothers were emotionally attached to them at nighttime and those with quiet nighttime activities had less sleep disruptions than those infants whose mothers were unemotionally attached (Teti, Mayer, Kim, & Countermine, 2010).
A nighttime routine will help give a “sequence of calming activities that will prepare them for sleep” (Brooks, 2011). A nighttime routine can consist of limiting arousal and playtime a few hours before bedtime. This will prepare the baby’s mind for sleep. Giving the baby a bath and reading books or singing lullaby’s can help calm and soothe the baby for bed. Because babies are learning how to properly sleep at night, it is important that everything be done the same each time to prevent confusion. For example if you begin by bathing your baby then reading a book and then singing a lullaby, the nights that follow should mimic that same pattern. You should also be consistent with the environment in the room. If your baby falls asleep to dim lights and soft music, when he or she awakes at night, there should be dim lights and soft music to help them soothe themselves back to sleep (WebMD, 2013). According to the same article in www.webmd.com, “Help your baby to sleep through the night” it is best to put your baby to sleep in their crib while they are still awake but on the verge of falling asleep. Once you put your baby in their crib you should leave the room. If your baby should cry for your attention you may return to reassure them that everything is okay but then leave back out. This takes time and may seem difficult at the beginning but it will improve as the days go by. This method will help your baby to fall asleep on its own.
CONCLUSION
The practice of bed sharing is common in other countries but has become very controversial here in the United States. The on-going debate about co-sleeping is based around its connection to sudden infant death syndrome and other risks such as infant safety. Despite the benefits associated with bed sharing such as increased bonding between mother and baby and its encouragement of breastfeeding, many medical professionals are opposed to it.
Co-sleeping is a personal decision that is to be made between the mother and father and what they think is best for their family. Co-sleeping practices is not for everyone and therefore parents should learn about the risks and benefits associated with it before making a final decision. If from birth you decide on allowing your new baby to co-sleep or not, and then change your mind later it is completely up to you. However, whatever decision you choose it is important that you always ensure a safe sleeping environment for you infant.
Works Cited
BabyCenter. (2011, Sept 1). Sleep sharing: The family bed. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from BabyCenter : htttp:/www.babycenter.com/0_sleep-sharing-the-family-bed_7753.bc?page=3
Blair, P., & Moon, R. (2012, January). Bed Sharing and the Risk of Sudden Infnat Death Syndrome. The Journal of Pediatrics .
Brooks, J. (2011). The process of parenting. New York: Mc-Graw Hill.
Dictionaires, O. (2010, April 1). Co-Sleeping. Retrieved Feburary 15, 2013, from Oxford Dictionaries: http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definiion/american_english/co-sleeping
Dowshen, S. (2011, Sept 1). Sleep and Newborns. Retrieved Feb 20, 2013, from KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepnewborn.html#
Gordon, M., & Hill, S. (2008, Mar 1). What to do about sleep? A survey of parent 's experiences. Retrieved Mar 4, 2013, from InfantSleep.org: http://www.infantsleep.org/parentsurveyresearch.html
Gorman, K. (2010, Jan 1). Breastfeeding and Co-sleeping: A correlational Assessment. Retrieved Feb 20, 2013, from Tennesse State University : http://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AA13024619
Romack, J. (2011). Bed sharing in school age children-clinical and social implications. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing .
Schnitzer, P., Covington, T., & Dykstra, H. (2012, June). Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths: Sleep environments and circumstances. American Journal of Public Health .
Teti, D., Mayer, G., Kim, B., & Countermine, M. (2010, June 1). Maternal emotional availability at bedtime predicts infant sleep quality . Journal of Family Pshychology .
WebMD. (2013, Jan 1). Help your baby sleep through the night. Retrieved Mar 4, 2013, from WebMD : http:/www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nighttime