Co-sleeping: natural, safe and enjoyable

Co-sleeping, sometimes referred to as ‘the family bed’, means sleeping with your baby next or close to you.

Co-sleeping is very common around the world but is still viewed with a little suspicion in western cultures including North America, Australia and parts of Europe.

“You’ll never get him / her out of your bed” and “It’s dangerous” are some of the concerns that critics (amateur and professional) often express. Much of the mainstream warnings about co-sleeping rely on case studies where other, more significant risk factors were involved.

The fact of the matter is that co-sleeping is natural, safe and enjoyable.

A natural way to sleep

It is natural for mothers to sleep with their babies. There is much anecdotal and scientific research that point to the benefits of co-sleeping.

Baby sleeps better
Co-sleeping babies often go to sleep easier and stay asleep better. With mother or father or both by her side, baby learns that going to sleep is safe and pleasant.

Co-sleeping also makes it easier to resettle your baby. A baby’s sleep pattern can see him pass between light sleep and deep sleep (and back) as often as every hour. The transition from light to deep sleep (or vice versa) is usually the time when he will wake. Having the comfort of a familiar person whom he can touch, smell and hear means baby often resettles on his own. And if he doesn’t, mother is nearby to give a pat or a short feed, often without fully awakening.

Sleep is a safe, comforting place for a co-sleeping baby.

Baby sleeps safer
Studies show that babies who sleep near their parents (whether in the same room or in the same bed) have more stable temperatures, regular heart rhythms and fewer long pauses in breathing compared to babies who sleep alone. This means baby sleeps physiologically safer.

There is also new research that shows that co-sleeping lowers the risk of SIDS. Co-sleeping babies almost always sleep on their backs and are more likely to have regular breathing patterns (in sync with their mother).

Mother sleeps better
Co-sleeping often results in mother and baby’s sleep patterns becoming in sync. Being in close, next to each other, co-sleeping mothers and babies often don’t awaken fully for breastfeeds. Practical observations have also shown that mothers often settle a stirring baby without either fully awakening.

Co-sleeping allows mothers to breastfeed on demand without having to get out of bed, settle a crying, solo-sleeping baby and then feed her. Being able to feed baby before she is fully awake makes it easier for both mother and baby to go back to sleep.

Families stay connected and baby thrives
Co-sleeping is a bonding experience. There is anecdotal evidence that babies who share their parents’ bed are more connected with their parents, are happier and thrive - emotionally, physically and intellectually.

The evidence also tends to show that by giving babies a safe and secure nighttime environment, co-sleeping babies are more likely to be happily independent.

Co-sleeping safety

While co-sleeping offers many benefits, it should be done safely.

Bed safety rules apply the same for co-sleeping arrangements as for cot-sleeping. Make sure there are not gaps or other entrapment hazards, be extremely cautious about heavy pillows and blankets and ensure guardrails are used to avoid baby falling off the bed.

Do not sleep with a baby if you have had alcohol or drugs or are a very deep sleeper.

Do not wear nightclothes with long ties or strings and remove jewellery that could get entangled or be a choking risk.