A recent report from the National Child Mortality Database highlighted that many babies die in hazardous co-sleeping situations, the majority of which are unplanned. So, it’s vital that every new and expectant parent knows the advice on how to co-sleep more safely, regardless of how they plan to sleep. This will allow parents to prepare a safer space for planned co-sleeping, or if they fall asleep without intending to. [The Lullaby Trust, 2023]
I have co-slept with both my children on and off from around 4 weeks. The eldest one still pops in now and then for a snuggle in the night, and our 2 year old will join us if she wakes during the night (still happens pretty often!)
I started with a bedside crib and then ended up co-sleeping and moving into the spare bed as my husband likes to have the odd cigarette and glass of wine of an evening.
I did the change in the middle of one night when I was shattered! I remember going back to a document my NCT antenatal teacher had sent us and I had on my phone. It was really useful to have something I could check out and remind myself of what to do and not to do.
I remember that there was not much other information out there or if there was people had very strong opinions on the subject!
I also remember hiding the fact from my health visitor that I was co-sleeping as I couldn’t be bothered with the lecture that it wasn’t safe!
The thing that worried me the most about co-sleeping was the duvet and it getting onto Mini Mumbler so I invested in some thick PJs and a thick cardigan and ditched the duvet!
The above was with our first born 7 years ago. 2nd time round I was more prepared, informed and had confidence in the choices I was making from the start. I let my health visitor know what we were planning to do and she ensured I had access and was informed of the way to co-sleep safely.
I love that this campaign is focusing on safer co-sleeping and it will help so many families have access to information to enable them to make their own informed decision on this subject and reduce hazardous co-sleeping situations!!
Information from The Lullaby Trust
How to co-sleep more safely
Although the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a clear, flat, separate sleep space (e.g. cot or Moses basket), many families will co-sleep with their baby at some point.
Even if a family doesn’t intend to co-sleep, they need to know how to prepare their bed in case they do.
Take a look at @lullabytrust’s step-by-step guide to preparing your bed for co-sleeping more safely:
🛏️ Firm, flat mattress
🛏️ Make sure baby can’t get trapped, wedged or fall out
🛏️ Never leave baby unattended in adult bed
🛏 Do not let additional children / pets in
🛏️ Keep pillows and adult bedding away from your baby
🛏 Follow all other safer sleep advice, such as sleeping baby on their back
More information available on The Lullaby Trust’s website: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/co-sleeping
Sofa Sharing
Sleeping on a sofa or armchair with your baby can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times. Babies are also at risk of accidental death as they can easily slip into a position where they are trapped and can’t breathe.
It’s fine to have a cuddle on the sofa with your baby but if you feel sleepy, get up and pop your baby in their cot or Moses basket
Hazardous co-sleeping
Co-sleeping is especially dangerous in certain situations and @lullabytrust advises that you never co-sleep if any of these apply:
Useful Links
Co-sleeping advice – https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/co-sleeping/
Safer Sleep Week 2023 – https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/about-us/safer-sleep-week/
Safer sleep advice – https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/about-us/safer-sleep-week/