Mommies, ensure co – sleeping is safe for infants

Due to biological and psychological reasons, both mother and the baby are designed to sleep next to each other. Moreover no mother would want miss a single minute of the cuddling time with her baby. But several pediatricians claim that sleeping with mother could be perilous for the baby if safe co-sleeping is not ensured. Below are some safe ways of sleeping with your baby:

• ensuring the right sleeping surface for the infant is most important while co – sleeping. Do not go in for spongy structures that could suffocate the child, rather try using mattresses that are flat and firm mattresses. Also the mattress should be large enough to provide an easy room to all those sleeping.
• If possible, place mattresses on floor, so there are no fissures that your baby could wedge into.
• Do not place a pillow under the infant while sleeping. Also ensure that there are no stuffed toys or pillows around the infant. These could too, suffocate the baby.
• Make sure your mattress, you choose to use, fits closely with the bed frame, so that your baby is not trapped in between the frame and the mattress.
• If you have draperies or blinds near your bed, either remove the draperies or reposition the bed to prevent your child from being strangled by the draperies.
• Babies tend to roll while sleeping, use mesh guardrails, if your bed is above floor level, to prevent your baby from rolling down the bed at night.
• Mothers have an instinctual awareness about their babies that are absent in fathers or siblings. Therefore, the baby should always sleep between the mother and the wall or guardrail. If the mother is a deep sleeper, she could consider moving baby in the crib or cradle, which could be placed on her bedside.
• Nightclothes with strings or long hair could entangle the baby while sleeping. While co-sleeping, mothers should avoid wearing such clothes and in case they have long hair, they should consider pinning them,.
• Allowing pets on the baby's bed is a complete no. the pet's hair could choke the infant.
• Do not take to account co-sleeping, if you are under the influence of medication, drugs or alcohol, these are very much capable of making you drowsy, thereby, shrinking your sensitivity towards your baby.
• Do not consider co – sleeping if you are obese. The depression in the mattress could cause the baby to roll towards the dip. Rather move him into his own crib.
• Dress yourself and your baby warmly so you can minimize the usage of covers.

Co – sleeping is beneficial for both baby and mother, but while co-sleeping, mother's have to make certain, they don't sleep deeply and the baby's slightest movement is competent of arousing them. Remember you have been blessed with a little life, nurture it and ensure utmost security of your child while co-sleeping.