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18 benefits of letting babies sleep with parents
Should babies sleep together or sleep separately is always a question that causes many parents a headache. If you are also in this situation, let's learn about this issue with aFamilyToday Health .
Why let the baby sleep in the crib instead of letting the baby sleep with parents? If Western culture does not allow parents to sleep with the baby, in many other cultures, this is accepted. Even in many places, if parents do not sleep with the baby, it is considered irresponsible. So should sleep with the baby or not?
Sleep with your baby
Sleeping together means that parents and children will sleep together every day. Parents and babies can:
Sleep together on the same bed or one of you will sleep with your baby.
Babies will sleep in a crib or low mattress but share a room with parents.
Your baby's bed will be placed next to the parent's bed. This will make it easier for mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Sleep together when needed. Babies will sleep in their rooms and only sleep with parents on special occasions. Sometimes, parents will hug the baby to sleep with me at night.
Benefits of co-sleeping
Shared sleeping is not the right option for all families. However, this option also brings some benefits such as:
Reduces the risk of sudden death (SIDS) when babies share a room with their parents.
Increase the sleep time of mother and baby. You don't have to get up, get out of bed and go to baby's room to breastfeed.
Reduce trouble sleeping.
Helps bond feelings and bring safety to your baby.
Easy to breastfeed at night.
Parents are more assured about the baby when the baby's crib is right in the parents' sight.
Sleep time of babies and parents becomes homogeneous, creating comfort.
Help your baby sleep better.
Babies often sleep early and wake up easily at midnight, so it's also easier to take care of them.
Parents will enjoy wonderful moments when they wake up and see their baby sleeping beside you.
Sleeping together also gives the baby a feeling of warmth and comfort, this will help the baby's development.
Mother easily observes the baby when the baby is sick.
Parents and babies will become more attached to each other.
Shared sleeping is a suitable solution for families with small spaces.
I will spend more time with you, so you and your baby will be closer.
Babies rarely fall in bed.
Sleeping together will help your baby feel safe, so he will be more confident.
Form a wonderful bond between parents and children.
Sleeping together has many benefits, but why do many families let their babies sleep separately?
Disadvantages of sleeping together
Some parents do not let their baby sleep together for the following reasons:
Babies are easily choked due to lack of space.
Sleeping together will make the baby become dependent on his parents.
Parents cannot sleep because babies keep moving.
Sleeping together will increase the risk of infection to the baby if parents have infectious diseases.
Children should not sleep together if parents are taking medicine or are treating the disease with therapy.
If parents have a habit of smoking, using drugs or alcohol, sleeping together will affect the baby's health.
When babies are used to sleeping with their parents, it is difficult to practice sleeping separately.
If a parent separates, gets divorced or one of them dies, the baby will be affected.
Sleeping together hinders the relationship between husband and wife.
Is sleeping with your child safe?
Sharing a bed with your baby increases the risk of death (SIDS). Therefore, parents should not sleep in the same bed with the baby.
If parents want to sleep with their children, follow the tips below.
1. Put your baby on his back to sleep
Lying on your back while sleeping helps reduce the risk of sudden death. If the mother has to let the baby sleep in the same bed with her, put the baby on his back.
2. Ideal bed for your baby
Mattresses should be attached to the bed and placed so that pillows and blankets do not rest on the baby's face. Mom, let the baby lie a little higher than me.
3. Put the bed in a suitable location
There have been cases where the baby fell into bed. Therefore, parents should note that you should place the bed next to the wall, table or other furniture. The ideal location for the bed is the center of the room.
4. Don't smoke
Do not smoke while you are sleeping with your baby. Alcohol is also not good for your baby. Therefore, please note this.
5. Keep the right temperature for your baby
Sleeping together will easily increase the baby's body temperature. Therefore, you should not "wrap" your baby too carefully.
6. Wear comfortable clothes
Put your baby in the right pajamas. In the field, the mother can let the baby wear long-sleeved clothes, in the summer, let the baby wear cooler clothes.
7. Breastfeeding time
You should schedule your baby to breastfeed. Initially, you should breastfeed your baby for a certain time, then shorten it gradually. You can also tell your husband to carry the baby around the room instead of feeding the baby because he wakes up more often when you are sleeping with the baby.
8. Buy a large bed
If sleeping together is a family habit, you should choose to buy a larger bed to have more space while sleeping. This will help you sleep better.
9. Do not sleep together on an armchair or sofa
These are dangerous places when you and your baby sleep together because the baby can fall at any time.
10. Sleep in the C-position
Lie across from your baby, hold your arms above your baby's head and bring knees to touch his toes. Do not put pillows near the baby's head. This is also the best sleeping position because your chest is close to your baby, which will help your baby suckle more easily.
Some parents often put their baby in a separate crib instead of sharing a bed with the parents. This is also a great way to make sure your baby is safe.
Items to help babies sleep with parents
The beds have a barrier around and are placed next to the parent's bed.
An infant crib is placed in bed to prevent choking.
Handrails are placed on either side to prevent the baby from rolling and falling on the bed.
The beds are specially designed for mothers and babies to prevent them from falling.
When should baby sleep separately?
After six months of age, it will be difficult to put babies to sleep separately as babies get used to sleeping with parents. However, you should still practice for your baby to sleep separately at this time.
How to get a baby used to sleeping in the crib instead of sleeping with parents in bed?
It can be difficult to get your baby to sleep in the crib when he is used to sharing a bed with his parents. However, the changes from month 9 to December will help your baby adjust to this pretty quickly. Before this stage, your baby tends to cling to you more. Therefore, you should wait until this stage to practice your baby to sleep separately in the crib.
The secret to help mom
1. Place the crib near the mother
Put the crib next to the parent's bed, but not too close. In this way, baby will gradually get used to sleeping alone.
2. Place the crib near the baby
Instead of letting your baby sleep separately, put his crib in your bedroom. Put your baby in the crib so she can adjust to his sleeping space. Slowly, put the crib in your baby's own bedroom.
3. Take it one step at a time
Initially, the mother let the baby take a nap in the crib. After that, the mother gradually trained the baby to sleep more cribs. This way, your baby will gradually adapt to a new sleeping environment.
4. Maintain bedtime habits
Children will not be able to sleep without the habits that they used to do in the past such as bathing, stroking, listening to stories or talking to parents. Therefore, you should maintain these habits.
5. Stay with your baby
When you put your baby in the crib, petting and petting your baby until he gets used to it. Sit next to the crib and soothe your baby. When the baby sleeps, gently leave.
6. Decorate your baby's bedroom
Many babies find it unsafe to sleep alone. Therefore, you should choose some beds specifically designed for your baby. In addition, you can also decorate some more objects such as toys, teddy bears ...
Shared sleep has many benefits. Sleeping together helps babies feel safer because they have parents by their side. However, to ensure safety, you should apply the above measures.
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