Is it better for a Baby?

Question

to sleep with its parents or in the crib? I've heard its eaiser for a baby to smother when sleeping with its parents.

Answer 1

Depends on the parents.

The study that came out recently saying that sleeping with parents increases SIDS is flawed. It was funded and promoted by the manufacturers of cribs. So...they have a special interest in making sure you don't put baby in your bed.

I love sleeping with my son. In the mornings he is in my bed. And, sometimes a nap - when I have the time to take one, lol. It is known that when a woman sleeps with her baby (and is nursing) it increases her milk supply. If you are having trouble producing milk it is a great way to increase --- plus a great bonding experience.

I am a heavy sleeper...and a crazy sleeper when sleep deprived. I have a hard time telling my sleep dream apart from reality. So, co-sleeping is not always an option. Unless hubby is there. But, when he is it's awesome.

However, some parents are just heavy sleepers. Some have lots of bedding and pillows. This makes it easier for babies to suffocate. And, some parents don't realize baby is there...or forget in the night.

For worries about cosleeping, try the Arms Reach co-sleeper.

Answer 2

It really depends. There is much debate on co-sleeping. One side thinks that co-sleeping is not ok for a baby because a baby won't know how to fall asleep on their own, they may be awoken too often throughout the night by noises made by a parent, and also it can be dangerous to have the baby in your bed because of the risk of the baby falling off the bed, a parent rolling on the baby, or the baby being smothered by blankets or pillows. For those who agree with co-sleeping, most think the safest way to sleep with a baby is to have a crib that attaches to the bed so the baby has a separate sleeping space than the parent. The studies that suggest co-sleeping is beneficial state that there is a lower risk of SIDS (baby doesn't sleep as deeply with you in the room) , it increases the chance of the mother breastfeeding longer, and it may increase the bond between baby and parent.

Answer 3

Bad things have happened with children co-sleeping, but bad things also happen to babies that sleep alone in cribs all night. SIDS

The crib was the most worthless piece of baby stuff we bought. Both my girls sleep with me still and I'll always treasure the snuggling. Just be careful not to have a bunch of covers that the baby can smother in and take precautions to keep the baby from falling out of bed. The Tres Tria bolster is a neat product to help with that

Answer 4

There are votes that go both ways on this issue. If you do let your baby sleep with you there are products out there that make it a little safer for your little one. It's like a co-sleeper, but it goes in between you and your significant other and it helps you from rolling over on the baby. Also make sure you get the baby used to the crib too. The sooner the better. It's cute when they're little all snuggled between you, but not when there 8! It happened to my aunt and uncle!

Answer 5

I do not believe it is okay for a child to sleep with parents. First of all, that does pose a risk for the child. What if one of the parents rolls over on him? Or pulls the covers over him and suffocates him? Yes, they will go to sleep easier and probably stay asleep long feeling secure, but can you imagine how hard its going to be when that child sleeps with you for so long and then you want o send him back to his crib? You will have a heck of alot of trouble then. I always slept my kids in their own room in their own crib. They are now 2 and 1 and at 8:30 i lay them down and they crash in 5 minutes.

Answer 6

In the crib is he best unless the parents don't sleep with any pillows or blankets. Also if you opt for this have the baby sleep in between you both so he/she doesn't roll of the bed.

Answer 7

Yes, definately put him/her in the crib as much as you can! There have been accounts of parents accidentally smothering children that way. And it could also leave the child too dependent on human interaction and it will have a harder time being alone.

Answer 8

Sleeping with baby is conveinant for nursing moms. There are co-sleepers available for purchase that protect the baby from the sleeping parents, if that is what you choose to do. As for it being better for baby, some say that it is in regard to attachment-parenting. You can read up on that at the website listed below.

Answer 9

Co-sleeping can be done in many ways, and can be done SAFELY. Read, study up on it, make an educated decision. Even if you don't have the baby IN bed with you, a side-cart bassinet is a great option as its open side snugs up against your side of the bed keeping baby close by at arms length, but safe in their own bed. Keeping baby close by has many benefits. Too many to name. I could never sleep with baby in my bed with my husband. He moves way too much, and I couldn't sleep at all because I was scared for baby's safetly. But other parents SWEAR by the family bed method. It is simply a parenting choice.

Answer 10

One recent study showed that several dozen babies a year die in the US of suffocation in their parents' bed. However, it didn't compare babies sleeping in different places, so it doesn't say which is more dangerous. It also didn't differentiate between babies sleeping in a safe bed or unsafe one. (See sources section below.)

In any event, research has shown that babies are more likely to die of SIDS if they sleep alone in a crib. While dozens of babies die of suffocation each year, *thousands* die of SIDS. In addition, in the case of a fire, having the baby right next to you could be life-saving, even compared to her/him sleeping in a crib nearby.

Mothers also get more sleep when baby is right next to her. First of all, mother and baby sleep "in synch", so baby will wake you when you are in a lighter stage of sleep and you won't be losing your deep sleep. Second of all, you can nurse baby right back to sleep before she/he fully wakes up. It is much faster! And, lastly, you will probably even learn to nurse in your sleep so you don't wake up at all.

If you aren't comfortable with sleeping with the baby, then don't do it. But try it first because it is better for both of you.