The question about babies sharing a bed with their parents is certainly a controversial topic. For many cultures in Nigeria, safe co-sleeping, the act of parents sharing a bed with their children, is the most natural and obvious way to get some rest while bonding. While studies and findings indicate that such acts have led to a high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The recent medical survey suggests that bed-sharing is the primary cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – the leading cause of death among infants aged 1-12 months. The proponents have argued that co-sleeping breastfeeding is more convenient and increases the bond between mother and infant.

With these positions, there has been a tremendous amount of information and misinformation — out there about the subject matter. The proponents and opponents of these positions have only succeeded in muddying the waters around co-sleeping and making it difficult for parents to make comfortable, rational decisions about the best way to raise their kids.

For families who do choose co-sleeping, out of principle or pragmatism, still more questions arise. What kind of newborn co-sleeper is best for keeping an infant in arm’s reach but out of harm’s way? When does a co-sleeping toddler transition to their own bed? Is co-sleeping just downright bad? With everything from bedside co-sleepers and cribs to suspended co-sleeper bassinets on offer, there’s a lot to sort through.

To bring some clarity to co-sleeping, this article intends to lay bare the pros and the cons and provide our co-sleeping advice for parents.

Some of the benefits include:
Bonding: Many families and cultures value the practicality and physical togetherness of sharing a bed. This is especially so for parents who have unusual work schedules and are unable to be present at all hours. To them, co-sleeping provides yet another precious time and moment to bond and give them that sense of safety and security.
Breastfeeding: Co-sleeping can help nursing parents more readily feed their babies in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning. In close proximity, you’re able to keep this activity hushed and peaceful — fostering a sense of restful relaxation. Co-sleeping may even encourage extended breastfeeding.
Less bedtime stress: Some toddlers have a serious case of bedtime FOMO (fear of missing out). They don’t want to be relegated to their own room and separated from the comforting proximity of their parents. Bed-sharing can cut down on the time, energy, and effort it takes to get a little one off to sleep.

Some of the cons include:
Poor quality sleep: Co-sleeping can disrupt your sleep. A 2015 study found that mothers with infant co-sleepers reported more night waking and poorer sleep than their counterparts with infants sleeping on their own.
Mental consequences: Sleep deprivation and well-being go hand in hand. Parents are notoriously starved of rest and downtime. This can lead to higher reported levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Lack of kid-free time: Sharing a bed as a family may limit your ability to have quality 1:1 time with your partner. Co-sleeping comes at the expense of your relationship or your personal needs.

Our co-sleeping advice
While many pediatric bodies and medical health research institutes warm against co-sleeping with babies, they often recommend the practice of room-sharing without bed-sharing. Sleeping in the parents’ room but on a separate surface lowers a baby’s risk of SIDS. However, if some parents decide bed-sharing is best for their family despite the risks. You need to follow these precautions:

Follow all of our other safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back
Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed.
Make sure the baby won’t fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.
Don’t place a baby to sleep alone in an adult bed.
Don’t place a baby on a soft surface to sleep, such as a soft mattress, sofa, or waterbed. Make sure your bed’s mattress is firm.
Make sure your mattress fits snugly in the bed frame so that your baby won’t become trapped between the frame and the mattress.
Don’t cover your child’s head while they’re sleeping.
Don’t have pillows, comforters, quilts, and other soft or plush items on the bed. You can dress your baby in a sleeper instead of using blankets.
Don’t place your bed near draperies or blinds where your child could be get caught in and strangled by cords.
Don’t fall asleep with a baby on your chest.
Do not sleep on couches, recliners, or rockers with a baby.
Also, don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use medicines or drugs that can make you less alert or keep you from waking up.
Avoid bed-sharing with infants who are at greatest risk of SIDs. This includes those younger than 4 months, preterm babies, and those who had a low.

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