If you are a parent of a toddler, you must have heard about the concept of co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is a sleeping practice that has many advantages as well as disadvantages. In recent years the concept of co-sleeping has become a controversial discussion which can also be called sleep sharing or the family bed. Though all of these terms are quite similar to each other and fairly new, they refer to a parenting practice that has been around for as long as people have been having kids. To help you understand the concept in a better way, caregivers of Child care San Marino, CA is sharing the benefits and risks of co-sleeping.

Benefits :

Breastfeeding becomes easier :

Co-sleeping is a blessing to breastfeeding mothers, especially when they are sharing the same bed with their newborn. Co-sleeping ensures continuation in milk supply and also helped in strengthening the mother-children relationship by making the mother quicker to respond to the baby’s cues.

Sleeping peacefully :

Some babies get frightened in their sleep and the babies who co-sleep with their mother calm down easily as the mother is within reach. This proximity of the mother and children ensures a peaceful sleep for both the parents and the baby.

Psychologically stable :

Babies who sleep with their parents have more stable body temperature, regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses inbreathing in comparison to babies who sleep alone. Therefore, these babies will have stable psychological growth.

Reduces fatigue :

Caregivers of Child care San Marino, CA insist parents sleeping with their babies as co-sleeping helps parents to have uninterrupted sleep. While co-sleeping, mothers can check on their babies with a mere glance or touch instead of moving from one room to another to do the same.

Less stressful :

You must be surprised to know that co-sleeping lowers stress levels as it keeps the balance in the stress hormone cortical. Being stress-free is very important for a baby’s healthy development.

Less risk of SIDS :

It is often said that the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is very less in co sleeping as the mothers can monitor the sleeping position of the babies.

Some risks of co-sleeping :

Like everything else in the world, co-sleeping has its disadvantages, some of them are mentioned below :

• In co-sleeping, babies may get trapped by the bed frames, headboard, or footboard.
• Babies can fall from the bed if they are left unattended.
• Babies may get suffocated by pillows, blankets, or soft toys placed around the bed.

Co-sleeping safety guidelines :

If you are co-sleeping with your kids, please follow the below-mentioned safety guidelines.

• The child psychologists’ team suggests parents not to co-sleep with children if they have been smoking or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other form of intoxication.
• Breastfeeding mothers should not doze off while the little one is still sucking.
• Mothers who bottle-feed their babies must place their heads at a30-degree angle to avoid choking.
• The bed should be large enough to accommodate the number of people sleeping on it to avoid any possibility of congestion.

After understanding all the benefits and risks of co-sleeping you can decide the best option for you and your baby. Moreover, safety guidelines should be followed if you co-sleep with your baby.