Why You Shouldn't Co-Sleep With Baby

Sleeping with a baby in your bed at night seems like a great idea. It may make feedings more easier and can help reduce your anxieties about the baby sleeping alone in a nursery. In fact, a lot of research has even shown that co-sleeping can create a warm and comforting environment, as well as help develop your bonding as parent and baby. Is co-sleeping with baby really the best idea though? Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn't sleep with your baby.

Risk of Suffocating Baby

One of the biggest risks of sleeping with a baby in your bed is suffocation. There is a chance that you or your partner may roll over during your sleep on top of the baby. People who know that they roll around during their sleep a lot should think twice about co-sleeping with baby. The Guardian reports that there is a significant risk of death among babies who are co-sleeping with parents who are drunk or on drugs.

According to the March of Dimes, there is also a risk of the baby suffocating on a waterbed, mattress, or soft bedding. If you are planning to sleep with your baby, it is important to avoid using sheets or a comforter because your baby could become covered with this form of bedding and suffocate.

Baby May Fall Out of Bed or Get Trapped

There is a chance that the baby may fall out of bed in the middle of the night. While you might not think that this can happen, there is a possibility that it can. Whether you have hardwood floor next to your bed or piles of clothing, your baby could become seriously or even fatally injured by falling out of bed. There is also a risk of the baby getting trapped in between the mattress and headboard or bed frame.

Lack of Intimacy for Parents

By bringing your baby into the bed, you could be putting your relationship at risk of lack of intimacy. Let's face it - it's going to be challenging to find time to get intimate with a baby in your bedroom. Sleeping with your baby in tow also may seem only temporary, but what will happen to your sex life if your child is three years and still sleeping in your bed? While you may not think that this can happen, your child is likely to become attached to sleeping in your bed at night.

Each parent has to make the decision of whether or not co-sleeping is the right option for them. Although it may seem like a safe option for parents who worry about their child sleeping in their crib at night, it is important to be aware of the potential risks.

Sources:

March of Dimes, "Sleeping with your baby."

The Guardian, "The truth about sleeping with baby."