Co-Sleeping – this is how the baby sleeps safely and securely in the family bed

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When co-sleeping, mom, dad and child (ren) sleep together in one bed. More and more families are opting for this natural form of sleep. The extra portion of cuddles and the physical closeness usually lead to more relaxed nights. Here you can find out what to look for when choosing a family bed and in terms of security.

The family bed – often unplanned and yet increasingly popular

For some parents-to-be, it is clear from the start that their baby should sleep with them in their parents’ bed. Other couples plan the children’s room with great attention to detail, buy a nice baby cot with a high-quality mattress and in the end realize: The newborn would much rather sleep with mom and dad. The family bed has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years, as it brings many Advantages for parents and children with himself.

Why do most babies prefer to sleep in family beds?

From an evolutionary point of view, sleeping in close proximity to the parents was vital for a baby. Without these they would have been exposed to adverse weather conditions and wild animals without protection. We still sleep together today the norm in almost all cultures – with the exception of the modern western world.

It has become established in our country in the last century that newborns sleep in their own bed or even in their own room. But babies do not know that they are safe from tigers, bears and co. Yours in the nursery at home these days millennia-old protective instincts are still active and show themselves in theirs Need for security and closeness to the parents, especially when sleeping.

Frequent waking up at night is used to check whether everything is still safe. If the parents are lying next to the child, a brief touch or a calming word is often enough to get the little one back to sleep. After all, mom and dad are there.

What are the benefits of co-sleeping?

• Safe sleeping environment: As already explained, babies feel safest in close proximity to their parents. This is the best foundation for one restful sleep created.
• Quick calming and feeding: If the baby wakes up at night, there is no need to climb out of bed to calm him down. The same goes for feeding. Breastfeeding mothers simply pull their offspring to their breasts and in the best case can fall asleep again straight away. The bottle can also be ready on the bedside table and given without much effort.
• More relaxation: If baby and mom sleep close together, their sleep cycles adapt to one another. When the baby wakes up, the mother is usually not dragged out of a deep sleep phase. For this reason, many mothers feel less overtired the next day, despite frequent night-time breastfeeding.
• Bless you: Babies who sleep with their parents have been shown to have a more stable breathing rhythm and heartbeat. Theirs also works because of the physical contact Thermoregulation better. This is a great advantage, especially for premature babies.
• binding: Sleeping together strengthens basic trust and promotes one close bond between parent and child.

An increased or decreased risk of SIDS in the family bed?

One of the greatest fears faced by new parents is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Again and again, with regard to SIDS, warnings are given against sleeping in a family bed. However, one should note a few Safety precautions, co-sleeping can even reduce the risk of infant death. As mentioned earlier, being close to parents has a positive effect on the toddler’s breathing and heartbeat. Mothers often sleep so lightly that they instinctively notice pauses in breathing when their baby is lying next to them. It also encourages co-sleeping Breastfeeding relationshipwhich in turn reduces the risk of sudden infant deaths.

Co-sleeping should not be practiced with these exceptions:

• If one or both parents smoke, have used alcohol or other drugs.
• When the parents are sick (for example they have a fever).
• If the parents’ bed is a waterbed.

What else do you need to consider in terms of security?

During cots the little ones through bars protect from falling out, this is not the case when sleeping in a family bed. It should therefore be ensured, especially with more mobile children, that they cannot fall off the bed. One measure can be to place the bed directly against the wall on one side. If an extra bed is attached on the other side, this is already a good protection. In addition, the trade offers Security grillethat keep the baby from falling.
It is important that the mattress is not too soft. The sleeping environment must also be designed in such a way that no pillows, cuddly toys or blankets can slip over the baby. A newborn baby should definitely be on his own Sleeping bag sleep. Furthermore, pets have no place in the family bed.

A good compromise between a family bed and your own baby bed: the extra bed

Many parents choose one Extra bedthat is attached directly to the parents’ bed. So they have their baby in the direct proximity and yet everyone has their own own sleeping area. This option is therefore a good middle ground. It is not uncommon, however, that the baby ends up sleeping in the parents’ bed and the extra bed is only used as a storage space.

Checklist: You should pay attention to this when buying an extra bed:

• Bed size: Newborns are tiny, so extra beds are often very small. If you want to use the bed for more than a few months, it is best to choose a larger model.
• height: Not all parents’ beds are the same height. It is important to ensure that the mattresses are at the same height. Many of the extra beds can be continuously adjusted and adapted to the parents’ bed.
• material: Furniture for children should be free of harmful substances and have rounded edges.

And what if the child still wants to sleep in the family bed at the age of 18?

“The child will never sleep in their own bed!” Such an argument is often heard from opponents of co-sleeping. However, this concern is unfounded. Most children choose between the ages of two and five that they are now sleep alone would. As a rule, it is also possible to have the child at any time to get used to your own bed. The decision as to how long co-sleeping is practiced is entirely up to the respective family. In addition, children’s sleeping habits are constantly changing. Just see what is right for you in the here and now.

Which beds are suitable for co-sleeping?

This is important when choosing a family bed size. Three people sleep very comfortably in beds measuring 200 × 200 cm, as can be found at Möbel-Eins. Anyone looking for a family bed will find large box spring beds for the whole family at Möbel-Eins. These are comfortable, offer enough space and promise sweet dreams for young and old. The bed should be stable and the Mattress not too soft being. As already mentioned, water beds are not suitable for co-sleeping. Sleeping in a family bed is recommended by many experts. If a few safety precautions are observed, it offers numerous advantages for parents and children. Cuddling together and waking up together – enjoy these unique moments, because the little ones grow up far too quickly.

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