Parents often co-sleep with their baby or toddler. It is common. However, would you consider co-sleeping with a baby safe? You can see both the benefits and risks of co-sleeping with babies. Now let’s see more information about co-sleeping. Here we go;
The co-sleeping risks
There are plenty of co-sleeping risks. Co-sleeping enhances the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS). Likewise, there are other risks such as strangulation, suffocation, and entrapment. Now let’s take a closer look at the risks of co-sleeping.
Increased Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Many types of research indicate that unsafe sleeping environments or co-sleeping with adults who smoke are risky.
Sleep positioning – some parents put their babies to sleep on their stomachs or sides. Such habits indicate a higher risk.
Injury risks
Accidental suffocation – there is a risk of suffocation due to parents accidentally rolling over the baby or getting stuck in the blankets.
Falls – A toddler or baby may be injured by falling off a bed or other elevated surface.
Disruption of sleep
Parental sleep disturbance – parental sleep disturbance due to toddler’s noises or movements.
Difficult transitions – If toddlers and parents are used to co-sleeping, it can be difficult to transfer toddlers to their beds. Likewise, toddlers who are used to co-sleeping show reluctance to sleep separately.
Dependency issues
Many toddlers rely on co-sleeping to sleep. But in the future, difficulties arise when they need to sleep alone. Besides, separation anxiety may occur when going to sleep alone after a long time of co-sleeping.
Parental relationships
Impact on Intimacy – Co-sleeping can affect the relationship between parents. Why? Co-sleeping may limit privacy and intimacy.
Health risks
Infection Risks – Close contacts can enhance the risk of transferring infections. Hence, if the parents are ill or have an infection, the toddler can be infected.
Secondhand Smoke – If parents smoke, co-sleeping can expose the baby to harmful chemicals. Therefore, there is a health risk.
The co-sleeping benefits
Co-sleeping offers several benefits. What are they? They are,
Enhance Bonding
Emotional connection – Co-sleeping creates close physical proximity between toddlers and parents. It provides a sense of belonging and security. Co-sleeping will increase the bonding between parents and their babies.
Comfort and reassurance – Keeping parents close to their toddlers at nighttime gives them comfort and security.
Easier Nighttime Feeding
Convenience to breastfeeding – Co-sleeping makes nighttime breastfeeding easier for mothers who breastfeed.
Encourage Nursing – It encourages breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides various health benefits for both the mother and baby. Night-time nursing can help maintain and increase milk production.
Better sleep for parents and babies
Reduces Wakefulness – Toddlers sleep better when their parents are close. Therefore, there will be less disturbance at night for the children as well as the parents.
Parental Rest – It is easy to calm a fussy child when the parents are around.
Promotes security and comfort
Reduced Anxiety – Toddlers may feel safer sleeping next to their parents which helps them sleep better and leads to less anxiety.
Facilitates Comforting – Due to co-sleeping, parents can reach babies easily. Hence, parents can quickly comfort babies.
Cultural and family practices
Cultural Norms – Co-sleeping is the norm in many cultures. It supports familial bonds between toddlers and parents.
Guidelines to mitigate risks of co-sleeping
If you are a parent who co-sleeps with your toddler, consider the following guidelines to reduce the risks.
- Baby’s age and weight
If your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight avoid co-sleeping. Likewise, you should avoid co-sleeping with a baby who is under four months. Co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS if the baby is breastfed and under four months of age. Breastfeeding reduces the SIDS risks. However, breastfeeding can’t protect against the higher risks of co-sleeping.
- No smoking, drugs, or alcohol
Smoking increases the risks of SIDS. Therefore, parents who smoke should avoid co-sleeping with their toddlers. Also, if the mother has smoked during pregnancy, it is harmful to the babies. Besides, parents who take drugs or alcohol fall into a deep sleep which can harm their baby. Likewise, they don’t wake up quickly in an emergency. Hence, parents who use drugs or alcohol should not sleep with their babies.
- Consider your weight
If the parents are obese, there is a risk that the babies will turn on them. Due to obesity, they cannot feel how close the baby is to them. So, you should consider your weight.
- Keep pillows and blankets away.
Minimal bedding – Remove blankets, pillows, and any other objects. They may increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment. Always use a light blanket or sleep sack for your baby instead. As well as ensuring the sheets are tight-fitting and can’t become loose.
Positioning – Place the baby in a separate sleep space, such as a co-sleeper bassinet. You can avoid co-sleeper risk using this.
- Place the baby on your backside.
Sleep position – Always keep your baby on your back to sleep. It reduces the risk of SIDS.
- Consider a co-sleeper bassinet.
Separate space – Use a co-sleeper bassinet that attaches to your beds. It gives your baby their own space to sleep close to their parents.
Barriers – Place a barrier between the baby and the parents. Therefore, parents don’t roll towards the baby.

- Dress the baby appropriately.
Prevent overheating – Dress the baby with light clothes. Keep the room temperature more comfortable.
Check Temperature – Confirms the baby is not too warm or cold during sleep.
- Confirms safe bed sharing
Place the baby on the large bed with the firm mattress away from the edges. Use bed rails to prevent falls. It also confirms that there are no gaps between the mattress and the bed frame or wall.
Conclusion
Co-sleeping is a common fact. It helps to enhance the bond between parent and baby, breastfeeding, reduces stress for babies, promotes security and comfort, and more benefits. However, the risk of co-sleeping is high. Co-sleeping increases the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Hence, you should avoid co-sleeping with your baby. If you need to co-sleep with your baby, consider these tips to avoid risk.