Bed-Sharing: Good or Bad? Let's Talk!

One of the biggest questions you have as a new parent is where to put your baby to sleep. Some people say that having your baby sleep in the same bed with you is the best thing to do. Others say, "Oh, don't do that, it's dangerous for the baby." So what should you really think about this? Let's talk about this in a little more detail .

What is this 'co-sleeping', 'room-sharing', 'bed-sharing'?

You've probably heard these three words before. Although some people use them for the same thing, there are some slight differences. Let's take a look at what they mean.

• Co-sleeping: Simply put, this means that the mother (or father) and baby sleep together in close proximity to each other, in a way that feels like they are there. This can involve a physical contact between the two, or it can just be a feeling of closeness.

Now, the other two methods come under this so-called 'co-sleeping':

• Room-sharing: This involves setting up a separate sleeping area for the baby in the same room as the parents, next to their bed. This could be in a separate crib, a baby basket, a small bed that can be moved around, or a safe playpen. Sometimes there are small baby beds that can be attached to the mother's bed, called ``bedside sleepers'', right? That's something like that. The important thing is that the baby is in the same room as the parents, but in a separate, safe place.

• Bed-sharing: This is a topic that many people talk about. This means that all three parents and their baby sleep in the same bed . Sometimes, it even includes sleeping with the baby on a sofa or in a chair. This is what many doctors and experts are concerned about. This is because it has been found that sleeping in the same bed with a baby increases the risk of sleep-related deaths, especially Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS ) .

Why do some parents want to let their baby sleep in their own bed?

Now you might be thinking, "If there's such a risk, why do people do it?" Actually, there are people who advocate ``bed-sharing.'' They say that some studies even support that to some extent. Let's see what reasons they give:

• Breastfeeding becomes easier: They say that breastfeeding is easier when the baby wakes up at night, because he is nearby. Then the mother doesn't have to get up as often.
• Breastfeeding time increases:There is also a belief that mothers breastfeed their babies for longer periods of time because they can breastfeed more easily this way.
• Babies fall asleep more easily: Some believe that babies fall asleep more quickly and calmly because they are surrounded by their mother's warmth and scent.
• Both mother and baby get a good night's sleep: It is said that both get a good night's sleep because the baby doesn't wake up often and can quickly fall back asleep even if he does wake up.
• The mother gets to spend more time with the baby: Especially for mothers who work during the day, it is a great thing to be able to cuddle with the baby at night.

However, we must remember that, along with these benefits, sometimes the risks involved can outweigh these benefits.

What are the real risks of sleeping in the same bed with your baby?

As we've said before, although there are some benefits to sleeping in the same bed with a baby, we also need to be aware of the risks. Because these little ones are very delicate. We need to think a lot about their safety.

• Suffocation : This is the biggest risk. The baby can be crushed under the body of the mother or father. Or, the baby's face can be covered by things like pillows, blankets, bedsheets, etc. in the bed, making it difficult to breathe. Imagine, if you were in a deep sleep, and the baby rolled onto its side without realizing it?
• Entrapment: The baby can become trapped between the bed and the wall. Or it can become trapped in places like the bed frame or the headboard. If the baby gets trapped in such places, it can be difficult for the baby to breathe.
• Falls: There is a high risk of your baby falling out of bed. If a small baby falls out of bed, it can cause serious injuries.
• Overheating: When sleeping with adults, the body temperature of the adults and things like blankets can cause the baby to overheat. This is also not good for the baby and can increase the risk of SIDS.
• Risk factors related to parents:
• If either mother or father smokes (never smoke near the baby, and it is very dangerous to put the baby in the same bed with a smoker. It is not good to go near the baby even if you are wearing clothes that smell of smoke).
• If the parents have used alcohol or drugs , or have taken sedating medications , they may lose consciousness of the baby in their sleep.
• If one of the parents is very obese , the baby is more likely to be obese.
• Mom or Dad, okay?If they are extremely tired , they may fall into a deep sleep and lose focus on the baby.

Most importantly: If your baby is younger than 4 months , or is a premature baby , or has a low birth weight, the risks of co-sleeping are very high. In these cases, never let your baby sleep in your bed.

So, what is the best way for a baby to sleep safely?

Now you might be thinking, "Oh, so how do you do this? You need to keep the baby close and safe." Actually, there are safest methods recommended by pediatricians and organizations like the World Health Organization.

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back: When your baby is sleeping, don't turn them on their stomach or side. They should always sleep on their back. This is very important to reduce the risk of SIDS. It's good to let your baby play on their stomach for a while (tummy time) when you're watching, but definitely put them on their back when they're sleeping.
• A firm, flat sleep surface: If you are putting your baby to sleep on a mattress, it should not be too soft. It should be a firm, flat mattress. Things like water mattresses are not good at all. Choose a mattress that fits your baby's crib and fits well.
• Keep your baby's sleeping area clean and free of clutter: Avoid placing soft toys, pillows, large blankets, or crib bumpers in your baby's crib or sleeping area. These can suffocate your baby. Your baby's clothes will keep him warm. If necessary, you can use a loose, sleeveless sleeping bag, such as a sleep sack.
• Room-sharing, not bed-sharing: Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that babies sleep in the same room as their mothers, but in a separate, safe crib, for at least the first 6 months of their lives, and preferably up to a year . This makes it easier to care for your baby at night because he or she is close by, and it is said to reduce the risk of SIDS by about 50%.
• Do not let your baby sleep on a sofa or armchair: These are not safe places for your baby to sleep. Whether with an adult or alone, putting your baby to sleep in such places increases the risk of suffocation and suffocation. It is very dangerous if you fall asleep with your baby on the sofa because you are tired.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking during pregnancy and after the baby is born is very harmful to the baby. No one should smoke in the baby's environment.
• Breastfeeding:Breastfeed your baby whenever possible. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you are breastfeeding at night, it is best to breastfeed in a high chair and then put your baby back in his crib. If you are very sleepy, you should be careful not to fall asleep while breastfeeding in bed. If this happens, it is best to have someone nearby to safely transfer your baby to his place.

Imagine, you get up at night to feed your baby. You take the baby and sit in bed and feed him. You feel a little sleepy. After feeding him, you put the baby back in his crib. Then the baby is safe and you can sleep without fear, right?

So, what should we ultimately take into account? (Take-Home Message)

So, after discussing all this, I think it's clear to you that while there are benefits to sleeping in the same bed with your baby, there are also more serious risks.

We all love to cuddle our little ones, warm them up, and put them to sleep. It's a very natural thing. But we can't show that love and unknowingly put their lives in danger, right?

Therefore, we should always put the baby's safety first.

Almost all recognized pediatric health organizations in the world say that the best and safest way is to put the baby to sleep face-up in the mother's room, but in a separate, safe crib . This is what we call 'room-sharing'.

If you have any further questions about this, be sure to ask your family doctor or pediatrician. They will be able to give you more good advice.

Remember, your baby's safety is the most important thing!

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