In my current practice I see lots of pregnant and new mothers and their babies, and a frequent topic of conversation has been the controversial issue of co-sleeping and bed sharing. Many have heard it spoken of in the same breath as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and are both wary and curious to hear my thoughts on it. I think that bed sharing can be safe, convenient, and conducive to breastfeeding, but there are important guidelines that should be followed:
- Wherever baby goes to sleep s/he should be placed face up on a clean, firm, surface. Clean means there should be no smoke or residue of smoke on any of the bedding where baby sleeps. Firm means no waterbeds, couches, beanbags or other overly squishy surfaces where baby could suffocate.
- There should be no stuffed animals or pillows on the baby’s sleeping surface. Blankets should be loose and never come over the baby’s head.
- Babies should never be put to sleep on top of a pillow (another dangerous squishy surface).
- If you have a partner sharing the bed with you and your baby, that person needs to be comfortable with the arrangement, acknowledge the baby’s presence, and feel responsible for their well-being.
- No one sharing the bed should be under the influence of prescription drugs, alcohol, or recreational drugs that could alter the ability to wake up.
- Older siblings of babies should not share the bed with the baby.
- Extremely obese persons should not share the bed with the baby
- People with extremely long hair should tie their hair up so that it doesn’t become entangled around the baby’s neck
If these guidelines are met and s/he has a committed mother, then bed sharing can be a life saver. Many mothers who I have helped guide through the first year of their child’s life report that it was the only way they could get any sleep. In addition, bed sharing greatly facilitates breastfeeding which has a protective effect against SIDs. Being in close proximity to mom also helps with baby’s temperature, breathing and heart-rate regulation which may explain this protective benefit.
Given all this information, ultimately the choice on whether or not to bed share is always up to the family. Sleeping and living situations vary and I always encourage my patients to make an informed choice that works for them. Not every sleeping arrangement is appropriate for every family, but I think everyone should have access to information to help facilitate that decision.
Co-sleeping guidelines paraphrased from University of Notre Dame’s Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory http://cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines/
Dr. Jamie Brinkley, ND (joining the Revolutions Team in Jan 2014)