SAFE CO-SLEEPING AND SLEEPING IN WINTER

By Good Night Managing Director Jolandi Becker

It is a common misconception that baby’s need to be in their own room for them to sleep well.  Good sleep can happen wherever your baby sleeps yet it is crucial to follow best practices to ensure the safety of your baby.  By balancing warmth and safety, you can create a secure sleep environment for your baby even during colder months. These guidelines help ensure that your little one remains cozy and safe all winter long.

Choosing where your baby sleeps is a family choice, and you of course know your family best.  If your baby is waking up a lot having your baby closer to you especially during cold winter months can be a LOT more convenient and warmer.

When it comes to co-sleeping, we need to distinguish between Room sharing and Bed sharing.

• Room sharing is where baby is in the same room as parents BUT they have their own dedicated sleep space, such as an age-appropriate co-sleeper, crib or cot.
• Bedsharing as the name implies is when a parent and child sleep together on the same sleep surface, usually a bed.

While both methods have their benefits, room-sharing is generally recommended by health experts as it combines proximity with a safer sleeping environment.

Why Choose Co-Sleeping?

Key considerations and reasons why parents might choose to co-sleep:

• Convenience: Close proximity makes breastfeeding and soothing easier.  During winter months if your baby is waking a lot at night this can be a game changer.
• Enhanced Bonding: Some parents feel that co-sleeping strengthens the parent-child bond and fosters emotional security
• Cultural Traditions: In many cultures, co-sleeping is a long-standing family tradition.
• Practicality: For families with limited space or single parents, co-sleeping can simplify nighttime care.

However, safety concerns exist, as bedsharing is linked to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation, particularly in certain situations (e.g., soft bedding, parental smoking, or impaired awareness due to alcohol or medications).

The Safest Co-Sleeping Option is Room-Sharing.  Most paediatric associations will encourage room sharing for at least the first 6-12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS, whereas bed-sharing is not recommended by major health organizations (e.g., AAP, NHS) due to an increased risk of suffocation and SIDS.

Safety Guidelines for Co-Sleeping

• If You Choose to Bedshare, Follow These Guidelines
  • Use a Firm, Well-Fitting Mattress: Choose a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly inside the cot.
  • Appropriate Bedding: Use a tightly fitted sheet designed for the mattress. Avoid loose blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys that could cover your baby’s face.
  • Clear Environment: Ensure that nothing is placed inside or on the cot that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or movement.
  • Temperature Regulation: Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. A sleep sack or wearable blanket is often a safer alternative to loose bedding.
  • Safe Cot Structure: The cot should be well-built and meet current safety standards. Regularly inspect it for wear and tear, loose parts, or broken slats.
  • Away from Hazards: Place the cot away from windows, cords, heaters, or any other potential hazards that could compromise your baby’s safety.
  • Back Sleeping: Always place your baby on their back for sleep. This position has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
    
    
• If You Choose to Bedshare, Follow These Guidelines
  • Use a firm, flat sleep surface:  Avoid soft mattresses, memory foam, waterbeds, or pillow-top beds.
  • Always place baby on their back: This position reduces the risk of SIDS.
  • Remove pillows, blankets, and soft bedding: These can pose a suffocation risk.
  • Keep baby away from the edges of the bed: Use a bedrail or position the bed against a wall with no gaps.
  • Breastfeeding mothers should use the “Cuddle Curl” position – This involves sleeping on their side with their arm around the baby, creating a protective space.

Ensuring safe sleep in winter means keeping your baby warm without risking overheating or compromising their safe sleep environment. Here are several strategies:

• Regulate Room Temperature: Aim for a room temperature between 20°C–22°C to balance warmth and reduce overheating risk. Monitor the room temperature with a thermometer to maintain consistency throughout the night.
• Appropriate Sleepwear and tog rated sleeping bags: Dress your baby in layers that you can easily add or remove based on the room temperature. Using a tog rated sleeping bag instead of loose blankets, which can pose a suffocation risk.
• Monitor Overheating Signs: Feel your baby’s neck; if they’re too warm or sweaty, it might be a sign they’re overdressed. Remove a layer if your baby appears overheated, rather than adding heavy blankets.

Co-sleeping can be a positive experience for families when done safely. The key is to make informed choices that prioritize your baby’s well-being while supporting your family’s sleep needs.