Naturally, babies are not meant to sleep on their own and in most parts of the world, co-sleeping is prefered upto the age of 6. Babies don’t know how to regulate their temperature, so they need to sleep with their parents.
As far as the mother is concerned, shared sleep is extremely beneficial because it stimulates the production of prolactin which is a hormone responsible for milk production. Normally, milk production experiences a peak during the night.
Most parents worry about the health of their babies when co-sleeping. Experts note that even though there’s no maximum time to share a room with your baby, six months is generally the recommended age to eventually move out.
When should babies stop sleeping with parents? Keep reading to discover more.
Will co-sleeping make children become less independent?
Parents are often afraid that co-sleeping will make their child not be independent with regard to sleep and precisely the moment of falling asleep.
However, it’s not always the case because as your child grows, they become independent and need less sleep with their parents.
Co-sleeping ensures your child meets his emotional needs or calm anxieties. The need for closeness, or assuredness in their sleep. The child will draw what he needs from shared sleep to grow emotionally. Parents can therefore be reassured that all the kids will end up sleeping alone when they are ready.
Co-sleeping with your child and the risk of SIDS
In children younger than 4 months, bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS, moreso in preterm infants or preemies, low-weight babies, as well as healthy babies.
Additionally, bed-sharing increases the risk of death in the following ways:
- Whether a baby sleeps with or without parents on a couch
- Two parents sleep together
- A baby sleeping between two parents who smoke
- An exhausted mother
- Parents who have recently used drugs or alcohol
- A parent who shares a bed or pillows
- Other children sharing beds
How to maintain safety when co-sleeping with your child.
In spite of the risks, some parents choose to have their children share a bed. Follow these precautions if you decide to sleep with your baby.
- SIDS can be reduced if babies are placed on their backs while sleeping.
- Don’t overdress your child to prevent overheating.
- Keep your baby away from adult beds while they sleep.
- You should not put your baby on a waterbed, soft mattress, or a couch.
- A firm mattress is recommended for sleeping.
- It is imperative you ensure your little one’s head won’t get stuck in the open spaces on the headboard or footboard of your bed.
- You should ensure the bed frame as well as the mattress fit snugly to avoid trapping your baby’s head between the two.
- If they’re sleeping, don’t cover their heads.
- Put away all soft objects on the bed, including pillows, comforters, and quilts.
- Using a sleeper instead of a blanket is an option for your baby.
- When your baby sleeps, don’t cover their heads.
- Put away all soft objects on the bed, including pillows, comforters, and quilts.
- Using a sleeper instead of a blanket is an option for your baby.
- You should keep your children’s bed away from draperies or blinds where they may be caught in the cords and strangled.
- Do not fall asleep with your child on your chest.
- When you have a baby, avoid sleeping on a couch, recliner, or rocker.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using medicines or drugs that can impede your wakefulness.
- You should not share a bed with infants who are most vulnerable to SIDs.
Closing remarks
If you’re wondering when your child will stop sleeping in your bed or room, you need to ask yourself the following questions.
- How do I feel about this co-sleeper?
- What does it mean for my child, my family and myself?
- Is it painful for me to share my bed or room? And if it is: what is the most painful thing for us?
Answering them will help you know if co-sleeping is a practice that meets the needs of your family. It also helps you to decide what is beneficial for you and your child.
Lastly, co-sharing is not recommended for Preterm, low birth weight babies and those under 4 months.
Father of four home schooling kids.