Joint sleep of the child with parents. Joint sleep of parents with a newborn child and a baby: we weigh all the pros and cons. Co-sleeping with a baby: safe positions

Being in an "interesting" position, I often thought about where the baby would sleep after birth: whether in his own bed or next to me, so to speak, on the marital bed. In books on child psychology, as well as in the accumulated personal experience met other mothers completely different opinions. Someone is an ardent opponent of the joint sleep of the child with the mother, someone considers joint sleep the only acceptable and natural, someone is trying to find a middle ground.

Thus, doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky, authoritative in the parental environment, believes: “When and with whom to sleep is a private matter for a particular woman. It is the woman who decides how it is more convenient and comfortable for her. everyone would get enough sleep and not experience discomfort." At the same time, perinatal psychologists unequivocally state: “During close bodily contact, the development of brain cells is stimulated, the necessary neural connections. In a sense, co-sleeping at night naturally continues the microclimate that promotes the development of a variety of social, communication and emotional skills during the day, as the child is calm and under parental control and protection. The mother is the habitat of the child, not only during the day, but also at night.

There are no concrete facts that the joint sleep of mother and child favorably or negatively affects the future of the baby. No patterns were found in the behavior, life scenarios of children who slept separately from their mother from birth, just like those who slept with her in childhood. It would seem that since science cannot give clear answers about the usefulness / dangers of co-sleeping mother and child, then practice will put everything in its place.

Googled it. I read the stories of different mothers. It turned out that the real experience is many-sided. Each woman chose the appropriate option for herself, focusing on her own ideas about the welfare of the child, as well as listening to other people's advice and opinions, the most authoritative for her. Perhaps the chosen strategy for organizing the baby’s sleep will work. I also had to rely on my maternal instinct (I hoped that it would wake up) and solve problems as they came (although it is much better not to allow them to appear at all).

The son was born. At the hospital, he slept in a cradle next to my bed. At night, every two hours, I fell down to feed and change the little one. I didn't feel tired, just euphoric. I became a mother! What could be more beautiful! After being discharged, on the urgent advice of her mother-in-law, a fan of Dr. Spock, she put her son to sleep in a separate bed. With a special mattress, with a beautiful nursery bed linen, with musical carousel. I held out for a month. I must say that only I got up to see the baby at night - my husband got tired at work and, when his son grunted, he only sighed heavily and turned over to his other side. During the day I was alone with the baby. babysitter did not want to hire.

The turning point came when one night she felt incredibly weak and could barely hold the baby in her arms. Mom needs to get enough sleep - I clearly realized. I tried to put my son next to me at night. She slept carefully, afraid to crush her. I immediately felt the advantages of co-sleeping: you don’t have to get up to feed the child, he “gets” his own food. It's funny like this: he sniffs with his nose where the milk is, and then starts sucking greedily. At the same time, he does not even open his eyes, that is, there is no need to rock him after feeding. No need to get up and listen to whether he breathes or not (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is no joke). It's so great to feel how a small native heart beats. It's so nice to feel a warm little lump next to you.

That's how they grew up. But my doubts remained: did I do the right thing by taking my son to my bed? Will it affect his development later on? What if he will not be able to make independent decisions, will he grow up to be a "sissy" in the worst sense of the word? Maybe it was worth enduring, not paying attention to the fact that the baby is clearly uncomfortable in his cradle?

Lack of knowledge is fertile ground for different kind fears, concerns. When we don't know something, we are afraid of it. It is so arranged in nature that a human cub is born completely unsuited to exist separately from its parents. He needs our help and support for a long time. The task of adults is to ensure not only the satisfaction of his natural needs - to eat, drink, breathe, sleep, but also to create comfortable conditions for its development.

First of all, the baby needs to feel safe. Its basis is the close bond between the child and the mother. It is the mother who is a kind of guarantor of reliability, a guide to the outside world for the little man. The mother provides an inner sense of security for the child.

Looking back at the history of development human civilization, the joint sleep of the child with the mother was considered natural until the development of industrial society. Along with the change in the landscape, the introduction of technical innovations in everyday life public priorities have also changed: from family, conservative to liberal, glorifying the freedom of a single individual. Accordingly, our ideas about what is right and what is wrong to do when raising children have changed. At the same time, the desire of the child to feel safe remained unchanged. Feeling the mother nearby, her smell, her warmth, the beating of her heart - what was familiar during the nine months of the prenatal period - the child calms down.

Co-sleeping mother and child in an optimal way creates for him a sense of security, which is so important for full development. However, in addition to the desire of the child, it is necessary to take into account emotional condition mother, husband's attitude to co-sleeping (for example, if the choice is between: take the child to his bed or remain a single mother).

So, the first step towards co-sleeping is to determine the mental properties, desires, both your own and the child's. This allows you to understand whether a joint dream is needed in a particular case or not. The second step is the realization of a simple truth: sleeping with your mother is only as useful as it is needed. No more, no less. A mother should not be too attached to her child. Gradually, he must start his own corner and his own activities, but he can still sometimes resort to sleeping with his mother. Here it is important for the mother not to prevent the child from growing up mentally, not to interfere and support his desire for independence.

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Many future parents are thinking about how to organize the baby's sleep and where it will be. sleeping place. We have translated detailed guide cosleeping guide from Elizabeth Paintley, educator and mother of four.

What is co-sleeping? This term refers to the situation when the child sleeps either in the same bed with the parents or next to them. AT recent times even the concept of "family bed" appeared. Co-sleeping is common in families with newborns and is especially relevant for breastfeeding mothers (breastfed babies may often wake up at night to eat). Co-sleeping is also popular among parents of older children who are not yet ready to sleep separately from mom and dad.

Every family has a different way of co-sleeping. Here are some of the more typical options:

1. Family bed. Parents and child sleep in one big bed.

2. Special added children's bed. This is a logical continuation of the option of co-sleeping in the same bed. When the child grows up, he is put to sleep in a separate bed, which is installed next to the parent.

3. Separate bed, moved to the sleeping place of the parents. The wall of the crib that separates the beds is removed.

4. Common room. The child and parents sleep in the same room, but in different beds.

5. Two beds for mom. One for sleeping with a child, the other - with her husband. Depending on the degree of mom's tiredness, she can move between these sleeping places during the night.

These sleep arrangements in each family can be used to different situations:

- common sleep with the child both at night and during the day;

- partial joint sleep, when the child is put to sleep separately in the crib during the day.

How to choose your sleep option?

All children are different, so there is no single correct answer to this question. Even in one family there can be several "correct" options. The main thing is that everyone is happy with everything. Do not listen to other people's advice and instructions: neither your neighbors nor your best friend and no one best book about family life will not be able to tell you which type of organization family sleep suitable for you and your children.

How to make co-sleeping safe?

If you decide to put the child to your bed, it does not matter, at night or on daytime sleep, you must adhere to the following security principles:

1. Your bed must be absolutely safe for the child.

It is best if the mattress will lie on the floor. Make sure the mattress is flat, firm, smooth. It is undesirable for the child to sleep on a soft surface such as a sofa. The bed should not move during the night. If you are using multiple mattresses, they must be secured to each other.

If you plan to sleep together in a "family bed", make sure that there are protective devices so that the child does not roll onto the floor during sleep. Please note that there is no free space between the mattress and the bed frame. Attention! Some rails designed for older children are not safe for newborns because when attached to the bed, they create a gap into which they can fall. Small child.

If your bed is against a wall or next to furniture, check every night to make sure there is no gap between the mattress and the wall (or furniture) where a baby could get stuck.

2. Newborns should be placed between the mother and the wall (or fence).

Father, brother or sister, grandparents are not able to instinctively feel the position of the child during sleep, unlike the mother. If you sleep so soundly that you are only woken up by a loud baby crying then you should not put the child to bed with you. Try moving the bassinet close to your bed.

The mattress should be large so that everyone has enough space.

3. Make sure that there are no objects dangerous for him in the room where the child sleeps. A grown baby may wake up before you and go in search of adventure.

4. Never lie down with a child if you have drunk alcohol, taken sleeping pills or sedatives.

5. Co-sleeping is contraindicated if you have overweight.

Be sure to observe the position of the baby when you lie or sit next to each other. If the baby rolls towards you due to the strong deflection of the mattress, play it safe and put the baby in the bedside cradle.

6. During the first months of a baby's life, you will have to give up pillows and large blankets while sleeping together.

Even when the child is six months old, pillows and large blankets should be used with caution. Just try to dress warmer yourself and wear something warm baby. Keep in mind that while you sleep together, your baby will receive body heat, so you need to make sure that the baby does not overheat.

7. Do not use nightgowns and pajamas with long strings. Don't go to bed wearing jewelry. If you have long hair put on a sleep cap.

8. Do not use strong-smelling cosmetics.

9. Don't let pets sleep in the same bed as your child.

10. Never leave a child alone in an adult's bed.

When do you need to change the order of the organization of sleep?

The organization of a baby's sleep changes during the first years of a child's life. In some families, parents make a conscious decision to share their baby's sleep until they feel the baby is ready to sleep separately. Some parents change their baby's sleep order when the kids start to sleep better at night. Others gradually prepare the baby for separate sleep by transferring to a separate bed. best advice is to listen to your feelings and try to organize sleep in such a way that you and your child are comfortable.

Almost all modern pediatricians welcome co-sleeping with a child. The child needs constant contact with the mother. While still weak and vulnerable, the baby should feel protected.

He needs parental attention for the right neuropsychic development. However, moms have different opinions about sleeping with their newborn.

Co-sleeping: pros and cons

Most likely, the correct position is somewhere in the middle: sleeping with a child is useful, but only up to a certain age. Of course, co-sleeping should not run counter to the interests of other household members.

Arguments for"

1 Ease of feeding. The baby will have to be breastfed at night quite often. In the event that the child is in bed with his mother, night feedings will not interfere with anyone. In addition, co-sleeping significantly improves lactation. With a built-in feeding regimen with the correct interval (from 3 to 8 in the morning), the production of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates lactation, will be adjusted. Prolactin is also a natural contraceptive.

2 Healthy sleep mothers. Many women say that they can feed their baby at night, being literally half asleep. Indeed, when mom goes to the crib, the sleep phase is interrupted. The body needs to go new cycle to achieve deep sleep.

And harmonious sleep is what mothers of infants need most of all.

Not getting enough sleep, a woman not only experiences discomfort all day, but also risks dropping the baby. By the way, it can also occur due to poor quality sleep.

3 The child is not cold. The natural warmth of the mother's body is also necessary for the baby from a physical point of view. When sleeping together, there is no need to wrap the child in a blanket, under which the baby can become too hot.

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4 The rhythm of breathing is formed. The baby listens to the rhythmic inhalations and exhalations of the mother and repeats them on a subconscious level. This interesting feature- nothing but the first breathing exercise child.

5 The baby cries less. A child can worry in a dream different reasons: suffer from colic, crumbs cold or wet. An excellent remedy for “stress relief” in such cases is mother’s breast. Being next to the baby, a woman can react faster than the rest of the family will have time to wake up from the baby's crying.

Arguments against"

1 There is a possibility of harm to the baby.

Babies are so fragile and delicate that it seems that any awkward movement can hurt them.

But nature itself comes to protect the baby. The mother's dream if she is not under the influence sleeping pills, incredibly sensitive. A woman wakes up from any movement of the baby. Therefore, it is simply impossible to crush a child in a dream.

2 non-sterile environment. Well-washed bed linen contains absolutely no germs that can harm the baby. The child does not need sterile conditions, because his immunity must develop and learn to deal with any irritants. Of course, if one of the parents is sick viral diseases Don't sleep next to your baby.

3 Difficulties in the intimate life of parents. Many families rightly believe that personal life and co-sleeping with a child are incompatible things. But the lack of making love in the matrimonial bed while the baby is in it can hardly be called a strong argument against.

How to wean a child to sleep with mom?

For many children, the desire for independence is characteristic. Therefore, there are cases when the baby goes to his own crib. What to do if this does not happen?

The physiological need for co-sleeping with the mother disappears in the child by about 1 year. But if you wish, you can transfer the baby to your own crib from 2-3 months.

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The main rule in weaning from co-sleeping is the sequence of actions. Weaning from the parent's bed should not be stressful for the baby.

At first, the child can sleep in a separate bed only during the day. Make sure that he is not lonely: you can put a large soft toy nearby.
At night, the baby can be placed in a crib located close to the bed of adults. In this regard, models of cribs with removable sides are very convenient - this allows you to combine sleeping places. If the baby tries to move closer to the mother, it should be shifted back. When the child gets used to this distance, the side can be returned to its place.
Gradually the bed moves away. It is necessary to increase the distance from the sleeping place of adults very slowly. This method may take several months, but the result is usually positive.
To help your child fall asleep better, read your favorite fairy tales or poems at night. Be gentle with him: if the baby comes to you in the middle of the night, calmly transfer him to a separate bed. But in no case do not scold the baby.

Co-sleeping with a child is a real miracle. The main thing is to learn to feel the rhythm of sleep and control it. And sleeping with a baby will be the most pleasant experience for you.

Some experts advocate co-sleeping, pointing to undoubted advantages. Other experts point out the numerous disadvantages of such a holiday. In order for mothers to make their own decision, it is necessary to consider the arguments of both sides and carefully study the recommendations of pediatricians and psychologists.

The popularity of co-sleeping

AT modern world educational habits and traditions actively "travel" from country to country, forcing parents to reconsider their previous opinions and knowledge. For example, today Russian mothers are increasingly using slings (dressings for carrying babies), feeding babies on the first call and starting to practice falling asleep and sleeping together. But is it really beneficial to sleep with a child in the same bed?

Experts working with newborn babies - pediatricians, neonatologists, perinatal psychologists, breastfeeding consultants - have a very ambiguous attitude to this phenomenon. Some campaign for co-sleeping, persuading parents that it strengthens the mother-child bond.

The latter, on the contrary, are wary or directly negative, believing that a born baby should have his own bed from birth, and keeping a child next to him only increases the risk of all kinds of negative consequences including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

To help moms make the final decision and sort out the intricacies scientific opinions and interpretations, below are the arguments "for" and "against" general sleep. All this will allow you to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of joint falling asleep.

Reasons for co-sleeping

The benefits of shared time in bed are commonly discussed by perinatal psychologists and breastfeeding specialists. Let's take a closer look at their arguments.

Natural Feeding Optimization. At night, the child receives the amount of milk secretion that he needs for optimal development. Thus, co-sleeping can be considered an addition to this type of breastfeeding, such as breastfeeding. That is, the mother, at the first call of the baby, provides the breast, including at night.
Optimization of lactation. A child who stimulates the mother's breast during the day and at night contributes to the establishment of a long breastfeeding. Therefore, the more often the baby suckles the breast, the more milk secretion will be released from the woman. In addition, it is at night in the body that the highest level of prolactin, a hormonal substance that affects milk production, is observed.
The best adaptation to the new world. It is believed that a child who has spent 9 months in his mother's belly will feel better in the same bed with his mother, as he receives an additional feeling of warmth and security. Physical intimacy can reduce stress and improve the functioning of the nervous system.
Improving your baby's sleep. A child falling asleep on his chest quickly sinks into the "embrace of Morpheus." It is enough for mom to put him next to him, there is no need to get up, put him down, be afraid that he will wake up after being placed in a separate bed. That is, you can forget about sleep problems.
Improving mom's sleep. A woman does not have to get up regularly to feed the baby. As a result, the mother feels rested, less irritable. And this affects the baby himself, and the spouse, and older children. Although, of course, this does not negate the change of diapers and diapers.

Some mothers, especially those who have given birth for the first time, feel better when the baby is nearby. Judge for yourself: you open your eyes and see that the baby is quite sniffing, covered with a blanket, you can hear his even breathing.

Arguments against co-sleeping

There are quite weighty arguments and opponents of a common night's rest with a child. Most often, their arguments relate to the inferiority of intimate relationships between spouses and the possible addiction of the baby to sleep in the parent's bed.

Inability to completely relax. Many women are not able to fully relax and fall asleep peacefully when a small body is nearby. This is due to the fear of crushing the baby in a dream or wrapping him in a blanket so tightly that he will suffocate. As a result, mom simply does not get enough sleep.
Violation of intimacy. The status of newly minted moms and dads in no way negates the love for each other and the desire to retire. And since there is a child in the bed, it will not be possible to fully enjoy intimacy (a similar problem, in principle, is easily solved, since having sex is not necessarily exclusively on the parent's bed).
Problems with accustoming the baby to a separate room. It's no secret that babies who are initially accustomed to sleeping in their own bed are much more likely to get used to moving to separate room. In addition, they will not need to reread a lot of fairy tales before bed or sing 10-15 lullabies in the evening.
Difficulty falling asleep in a child. Research by foreign scientists suggests that children who are accustomed to sleeping separately from birth are less likely to suffer from nightmares than babies whose parents practiced co-sleeping. That is, two-three-year-old children do not suffer from the thought that terrible monsters are hiding under their beds.

Some men are categorically against the presence of a child in the marital bed. And it's not just about intimate relationships with his wife, but also in the fact that the newborn wakes up quite often, screams and, accordingly, wakes up the parents. Dad has to go to work in the morning.

Evgeny Komarovsky, a popular TV doctor and assistant to mothers in raising babies, is convinced that co-sleeping is wrong.

At the same time, he leaves this issue at the mercy of mothers, since it is the woman who should decide how it is more convenient for her to sleep - with or without a child. But why is it wrong to have a baby in a parent's bed? The doctor is confident that co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS.

This alone is enough, according to the pediatrician, to give up this pastime. E. O. Komarovsky advises to leave the baby in the parent's room during the neonatal period.

This will track his sleep and improve lactation. After optimizing lactation, the child can be transferred to a separate room, and control can be established using a radio or video baby monitor.

If the parents put the baby in his bed because he often wakes up, then it means that they could not establish a regimen and establish a lifestyle. The doctor is sure that if the child is not overheated, bathed before falling asleep, spent a fairly active day, ate well, then at night he simply “no need” to wake up.

Consolidation of positions

If you still have not decided which is better - to sleep with a child or separately, you can choose the average option. It takes into account both the needs of a newborn baby and parental interests, and also allows parents not to go to extremes. Depending on the age of the baby, parents can follow the following rules:

from 0 to 5 months. The baby can fall asleep nearby with his mother, but in his own bed (the so-called side models, in which one of the walls is removed). In this case, he feels his mother, feels her closeness, and it is convenient for a woman to feed the baby - just put it on her chest. In addition, the risk of crushing the baby in a dream is excluded;
5 - 12 months. At this age, the child can already sleep in a separate bed with a side wall installed. The children's bed is located either in the parent's room or in a separate room. But in the latter case, you need a device for control. Such a separation will gradually reduce the number of night feedings and provide a sound and long sleep for all family members;
after 1 year. Usually at this age, children are ready to move to a separate room. That is, at night, the baby sleeps in his own crib in the nursery, but during the day, parents can safely take him to their bed and relax together. This separation allows everyone to sleep: both kids and the older generation.

Of course, co-sleeping is possible after one year old in some situations. For example, mom and dad can take the baby to themselves if he is sick, scared of a nightmare, and even in morning time when a child comes running to their parents for sleep.

Rules for safe co-sleeping

If you still decide to practice co-sleeping, then you must adhere to a number of rules. First of all, you need to enlist the support and consent of your spouse. If the husband is not against such a night's rest, you need to properly organize a sleeping place and create comfortable conditions for all participants in the "process".

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the problem of the availability of skills in breastfeeding an infant in lying position. Another important point- the size and shape of the mammary glands. If the breasts are large, it is necessary to consult with a breastfeeding expert.

There are also a few things to keep in mind:

first you need to practice sleeping with the child together during the day, and only then move on to a joint night sleep;
it is necessary to choose an orthopedic mattress that would not fall under the weight of the child;
the baby should not be placed with the head on the pillow, in last resort you can use a diaper as this;
it is important to change regularly bed sheets, and it’s generally better to put the baby in your own diaper;
it is necessary to lay the child between the mother and the wall (or side), it should not be placed between the parents;
it is necessary to remove various blankets, bedspreads, pillows, into which he is able to bury his nose, away from the baby;
you can’t put the baby in the parent’s bed if one of the adults has taken alcohol or sedatives;
if mom or dad is sick infectious disease(colds, skin ailments), refuse to sleep together.

If you have tried co-sleeping and have some problems (inadequate rest, difficulty feeding the baby in the supine position), you should consider sleeping separately.

The choice is yours

After reading this and other articles on the topic of co-sleeping with a child, parents can understand that among experts there is no consensus on this occasion. And this is quite natural, since almost any issue of the upbringing and development of children is characterized by contradictory descriptions and value judgments on the part of specialists.

As noted above, pediatricians, psychologists, neonatologists give various arguments in favor of sharing a night's sleep with a baby, describe various benefits. However, there are some drawbacks to this measure as well.

What should moms do? Regardless of the different trends and popular trends in parenting practice, parents must make a decision based on their own desires and needs of the children. It is important to take into account the views of both spouses.

If adults feel comfort and happiness from being in a family bed, then it is quite possible to continue practicing co-sleeping. However, if any member of the household (for example, a father) is uncomfortable or wants to sleep separately from the child, this fact must be taken into account.

As a conclusion

Parenting - hard labour, so it is not surprising that mom and dad want (and need) to get enough sleep at night and recuperate. Therefore, placing a child in a parent's bed is a rather bold act that should be fully considered.

In any case, the final decision on the admissibility of such a holiday should be taken exclusively by the spouses, guided not only by the needs of the child, but also own desires. After all, the most important thing is the joy and comfort of all family members, the rest of the parents, who will then bring up their little treasure.

Future parents are unlikely to think about sleeping with their child. But when he is born, the young mother has to get up every two hours, feed, pump the baby. It is not always possible to put a sleeping baby in a crib so that he does not flinch and wake up. Therefore, it is easier to put it next to you - at the chest. Is this right, and what are the disadvantages of co-sleeping?

FOR co-sleeping with your baby

Experienced moms find that sleeping with a baby is very convenient, as it has a lot of good points and see no problem with it. You don’t need to get up in the middle of the night, go to the crib, you don’t need to carry the baby, as he naps beautifully at the chest, and when necessary, is applied to it. But, having fully slept, in the morning mom gets up cheerful and full of strength.

Besides:

next to the mother, the child is warm, which is very important in the unsettled process of heat transfer. He feels safe, and this has a beneficial effect on the development of the nervous system;
you can always straighten a blanket, a diaper, a baby’s cap that has slipped off his head in time;
next to the calm breathing of the parents, the newborn will sleep better, and his breathing will be regulated in a natural way;
co-sleeping affects the shallow phase of the baby's sleep, which prevails over the deep one. This helps prevent sudden stop breathing in newborns;
The baby's brain develops in the superficial phase. Parents who believe that the baby should sleep on his own deprive him of the natural opportunity to develop faster;
the baby, falling asleep in the parents' bed, cries less. If he starts to wake up, act up, his mother can immediately calm him down, without waiting for desperate crying;
mom worries less when the baby is next to her, and does not sleep on her own;
sleeping with a baby promotes the production of hormones responsible for lactation.

Reasons against co-sleeping

Opponents of co-sleeping with a child argue that immediately after childbirth, the mother should teach the newborn to sleep on her own:

healthy intimate life parents are endangered by having a baby in their bed;
Inexperienced Mom Falling Into deep dream, runs the risk of crushing the child with his own body;
excessive attachment to mother increases, which can cause psychological disorders in future.

How to fall asleep with your baby

The benefits of co-sleeping are a sensitive topic, and subject to debate even among experienced physicians. If the parents decide to sleep with the child, you need to take care of safety. In any case, the little man should have his own personal place where he will rest on his own during the day.

If you plan to take the newborn to bed from the middle of the night, then the mother needs free access to the crib. It is advisable to think about the fact that the child does not lie in the middle between dad and mom, but on the edge. This means that the edge of the bed needs to be fenced with something so that the baby does not fall. It can be the back of a chair, a thick pillow, a folded blanket. It is easier to remove the side of the crib and move it to the parent's bed.

For older children, they get a one-and-a-half bed in which one of the adults falls asleep. There are some conditions for normal co-sleeping with a child that must be observed:

parents should not smoke (), use or drugs;
you can not drink sleeping pills, and sleep next to a fragile baby. If necessary, small child it is better to leave to sleep on your own;
if one of the adults is sick, it is better to go to bed separately;
the baby must be healthy and full-term;
you can not swaddle and wrap the baby to avoid overheating. It is better to wear light pajamas on him;
the temperature in the room should not be higher than 24 C, and the humidity should be more than 70% - a detailed article about;
if you plan to sleep with a child, you should not use antiperspirants, perfumes, eau de toilette with a sharp aroma. They can interfere with the baby's sleep by mixing with the mother's natural scent and interfering with normal process chest breathing;
pets should not be allowed into the bed where the newborn sleeps;
do not put a small child together with older children who do not realize that he can be easily injured;
if parents are obese, it is worth thinking about the advisability of co-sleeping;
the baby should not be left alone in the parent's bed. He must always be under supervision.

Mom must not forget about herself. Her position in bed should be comfortable for feeding and good rest.

Optimal posture: head on an elbow or a pillow, mother lies halfway, the child is at the chest with the head slightly pushed back so that its nose does not rest against the chest.

After feeding, the baby is laid on its back, and the mother takes comfortable position: either on the back or on the side. The main thing is that the width of the bed allows you to do this.

At what age should you start sleeping alone?

Notes to help you know when to stop co-sleeping:

the child is already weaned -;
his night sleep lasts without interruption 5-6 hours -;
during the day, the baby is less and less in mother's hands;
if he wakes up at night, he does not cry;
the child has an instinct of ownership, when there is a clear division into “this is mine, and this is yours”;
the child can stay alone in the room for 15-20 minutes.

It is necessary to delay the transitional moment of growing up a baby when:

the child suffered a birth injury;
he has high intracranial pressure;
there are signs of developmental delay and speech delay;
the baby is irritable, hyperactive, restless.

Such children most of all need their mother's presence. It is also not recommended to "evict" the child during teething, after past illness or when the visit just started kindergarten. These events are so exciting, and caused stress. For the vulnerable psyche, such changes will be a real test.

At what age it is necessary to wean the baby from the habit of sleeping with his mother, only parents decide. is a difficult task, but doable. The main thing is patience and endurance of adults. It is worth considering that at first he will often wake up at night and run to a cozy parental bed. Gradually, the baby will stop doing it.

Weaning your child from co-sleeping

Sleep with a child must be stopped sooner or later. Per for a long time Mom is already used to sleeping in such a company and it is difficult for her to experience this moment herself. Therefore, the readiness of both parties is important here. You will have to act confidently, and not succumb to the whims and manipulations of the baby.

If the baby slept in his crib, moved to the sofa of his parents without a side, weaning will be much calmer and faster. It is necessary to gradually move the crib away from the parent, up to moving to your room.
If it is necessary to relocate to their territory, they put a crib for the baby and explain that this is his property, he can lie in it as he wants, only without his mother. Adults and big kids don't sleep together. For 2-3 year old children, this method works excellently.
At first, you can turn on the night light so that the baby is not afraid to sleep on his own.
The process of going to bed must be turned into a kind of ritual: first water procedures, brushing your teeth, changing into your favorite pajamas, a fairy tale lullaby, then sleep. The child will quickly get used to such a sequence, and the question of how to put him to sleep separately will no longer arise.
If a second child is planned, the eldest should be taught to sleep in his own bed before the birth. Although sleep with a child and pregnancy are compatible, it must be taken into account that later it will be difficult to explain to the baby who has a rival why he was “kicked out” and the other baby sleeps in his rightful favorite place.
You can time the event to any date.
If you have to buy a new bed for a child, you can take it with you and let you make a choice. Children are usually easy to push towards right choice so that they think it's their own decision. This will help the baby overcome inner fears and habits, and he will be happy to sleep in his own bed, chosen by him personally.