• Packages
    • Sleep Packages
    • Twin Sleep Packages
    • Survival Guides
    • Gift Certificates
    • Become a Member
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Philosophy
    • Join Our Team
    • Become a Sleep Consultant
  • Blog
  • Contact
0 0
Free shipping over 49$
  • Sleep Packages
  • Twin Sleep Packages
  • Survival Guides
  • Gift Certificates
  • Become a Member
  • Meet the Team
  • Our Philosophy
  • Become a Sleep Consultant
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Cart
0 0
Must Haves

Is co-sleeping really a bad thing?

February 27, 2018 / 790

What does the term co-sleeping mean to you? When we hear the term co-sleeping we often think of a baby sleeping in a bed with his/her parent(s). By definition — according to Wikipedia —“co-sleeping is a practice in which babies and young children sleep close to one or both parents, as opposed to in a separate room.” The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) says “infants should sleep in parents’ room, close to parents’ bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants. Ideally, for the first year of life, but at least for the first 6 months.” Co-sleeping however also can simply mean the baby is sleeping in the same room as the parents but NOT in the bed with them – in their own safe space in the bedroom. 

Okay – so if the AAP recommendation for safe sleep and the definition of co-sleeping don’t seem all that different, is co-sleeping really a bad thing?

Co-sleeping gets a bad name. We too often hear stories on the news about how co-sleeping resulted in the death of an infant. This is not only so incredibly tragic, it is also preventable. The truth is co-sleeping is not necessarily what leads to most infant deaths when the baby is sleeping in their own space with mom and dad. What the cause is when the baby is in your bed without protection from anything landing on the baby or suffocating the baby during sleep. Sleeping in the same bed as your baby can actually increase their risk of SIDS. The AAP clearly defines that babies should be close to parents but here is the key information…. on their own surface especially designed for infants. 

Here are some safe spaces we recommend for babies to sleep in that can be perfect for room sharing:

The Babybjorn Travel Crib,

The Halo Swivel Bassinet,

The Arm’s Reach Concepts Mini,

 Chicco Lullago Bassinet. 

We always recommend safe sleep! So while we would always caution against sleeping in the same bed with your baby who is under 6 months old, we would encourage room sharing for those early infant days. Keeping baby close until you are ready (and baby is capable) of a more independent sleep environment is not only the AAP’s recommendation, it’s ours as well. If you have a baby over 6 months old that you want to start sleeping in your bed with, by all means you are the parent and you have every right to do YOU. Do we recommend this? No. ha we wouldn’t be sleep consultants if we did. But we encourage every parent to stand firm on their hearts desire for their children. Our sleep plans always account for safe sleep practices for your baby or toddler. So if you are not sure where to start or you have a toddler sleeping with you and are ready to make the transition…start with us over at  The Cradle Coach. We would love to work with you to creating a healthy and safe sleep environment while introducing your child to a gentle routine!

Sweet Dreams,
Maeghan Spurr
maeghan@thecradlecoach.com

Tags: co-sleeping, must haves, room sharing
Share Post
Product Review: Whisbear &#821...
Expert tips on Newborn Surviva...

Related posts

Newborn
Read more

Our Favorite Newborn Products

November 12, 2019 / 604
... Continue reading
Tips and Tricks
Read more

Sleep Training and Snuggles

October 27, 2019 / 873
... Continue reading
Tips and Tricks
Read more

Why I Made Sleep a Priority for My Family

September 13, 2019 / 834
... Continue reading
Tips and Tricks
Read more

How to Improve Daycare Sleep

September 1, 2019 / 798
... Continue reading
Tips and Tricks
Read more

How Much Sleep Does Your Baby or Toddler Need?

August 25, 2019 / 777
... Continue reading

Comments are closed

Categories

  • Pregnancy
  • Miscarriage
  • Dad Week
  • Bedtime Routine
  • Day Care
  • Dream Feed
  • Early Riser
  • Feature Friday
  • Giveaways
  • Guest Post
  • Lessons From a Mother
  • Milestones
  • Mommy Time
  • Must Haves
  • Naps
  • Newborn
  • Night Terrors
  • Pacifiers
  • Preschool
  • Product Review
  • Routines
  • Sharing a Room
  • Sleep Regressions
  • Sleep Safety
  • Sleep Training Methods
  • Swaddling
  • Teething
  • The Nursery
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Toddlers
  • Transitioning
  • Traveling Tips
  • Weaning
  • Winning Wednesday
  • With Two or More
  • Workshops

Recent posts

We’ll Always Have Our Memories

November 26, 2019 Comments Off on We’ll Always Have Our Memories

Giving Grace Amidst Holiday Stress and Travel

November 18, 2019 Comments Off on Giving Grace Amidst Holiday Stress and Travel

Our Favorite Newborn Products

November 12, 2019 Comments Off on Our Favorite Newborn Products

Sleep Training and Snuggles

October 27, 2019 Comments Off on Sleep Training and Snuggles

Why I Made Sleep a Priority for ...

September 13, 2019 Comments Off on Why I Made Sleep a Priority for My Family

© 2019 The Cradle Coach, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms and Conditions

The Cradle Coach, LLC does not offer medical advice, services, or treatment to its clients.

If you are concerned about a medical issue related to your child we urge you to contact your doctor or pediatrician immediately.