From “Reactive” to “Intentional” Co-Sleeping: Gentle Sleep Coaching Can Help
Sleep Coaching and co-sleeping can not only coexist but complement each other beautifully. However, it is important to identify what kind of “co-sleeping” is actually happening in your family bed. Are you practicing “Intentional Co-Sleeping’ or “Reactive co-sleeping”
Intrigued?
Reactive Co-Sleeping
I often see families who have accidentally become “reactive co-sleepers” …Meaning they have turned to co-sleeping out of sheer desperation, struggling to find any way to get their little ones to sleep.
These parents are usually exhausted and overwhelmed, often resorting to unsafe practices simply to catch a few hours of rest. By accident and by sure exhaustion, they may not be following essential safety guidelines, which can increase the risks associated with co-sleeping.
Most families in this reactive co-sleeping predicament admit that NO-ONE is sleeping well and they are not happy with the arrangement, but they literally do not know what else to do.
Intentional Co-Sleeping
Whereas, “Intentional co-sleeping” means you have this a family goal and family value and you have created a ‘family bed” following the specific AAP Guidelines. This is a decision that your family has thought about, researched and implemented, not something you accidentally starting doing on a bad night. Many families who share a family bed tend to be interested in the entire attachment parenting philosophy and rely on Dr. Sears for proper guidance. Also a true family bed is typically with a mattress on the floor and limited pillows, sheets/blankets and comforters.It is 100% a lifestyle choice. This can be a viable option for many families seeking closeness and convenience, especially for breastfeeding mothers, but it only works well if following all the safety guidelines and if both the child and both PARENTS ARE SLEEPING WELL (example: this is not a situation where dad on the coach complaining about no longer having access to the master bed–that’s reactive co-sleeping)!
While it's crucial to follow safety guidelines to minimize risks, recent research suggests that with proper precautions, co-sleeping can be both safe and beneficial. It's important to create a sleep environment that supports your baby's well-being and the parents sleep needs as well. By staying informed and making thoughtful choices, you can integrate co-sleeping into your family's sleep routine in a way that promotes healthy, restful sleep for everyone.
While co-sleeping has its benefits, it’s crucial to understand how it can be done safely and effectively.
Always, especially when integrating Gentle Sleep Coaching principles, My goal is to guide these families towards creating an intentional, safe, nurturing sleep environment while helping them establish healthy sleep habits for their children.
Through compassionate support and evidence-based strategies, we can transform those sleepless nights into peaceful, restful ones for both parents and babies.
Understanding Co-Sleeping
Co-sleeping, or sharing a bed with your baby, is a practice that has been used by parents around the world for centuries. It fosters closeness, eases nighttime breastfeeding, and can help both parents and babies sleep better. However, co-sleeping has also been the subject of much debate, particularly concerning the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
What Does the Research Say about Safety and Co-Sleeping?
The AAP advises against bed-sharing with infants due to the increased risk of suffocation, entrapment, and SIDS. They recommend that babies sleep in the same room as their parents but on a separate sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, for at least the first six months, ideally up to a year. This room-sharing practice, without bed-sharing, is shown to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. The AAP also emphasizes the importance of placing babies on their backs to sleep, using a firm sleep surface, and keeping soft bedding and toys out of the sleep area to create a safe sleep environment.
Recent studies have shed new light on the risks associated with co-sleeping. According to an NPR article and a study published in PLOS ONE, the risks of SIDS in co-sleeping situations have been dramatically inflated. For "low-risk" infants, while bed-sharing does increase the risk slightly, the overall risk remains very low. Another study found no increased risk of SIDS for routine co-sleepers, provided certain safety measures are followed.
Safety Measures for Co-Sleeping
For families who choose to co-sleep, it is essential to do so intentionally and safely. Here are some key guidelines to ensure a safe co-sleeping environment:
Firm Mattress: Use a firm mattress with tight-fitting sheets. Avoid waterbeds, sofas, and recliners, which can increase the risk of suffocation.
Remove Hazards: Keep pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals away from the baby to reduce the risk of suffocation and overheating.
Positioning: Place the baby on their back to sleep, which is the safest position for reducing the risk of SIDS.
Avoid Gaps: Ensure there are no gaps between the mattress and the wall or headboard where the baby could become trapped.
Parental Awareness: Parents should be aware of their baby’s presence at all times and avoid alcohol, drugs, or medications that can impair their ability to wake up.
Non-Smoking Environment: Ensure that the sleeping environment is free of smoke, as smoking significantly increases the risk of SIDS.
Integrating Gentle Sleep Coaching with Co-Sleeping
Gentle Sleep Coaching practices can be effectively integrated with co-sleeping practices. Here are some tips to harmonize the two:
Consistent Bedtime Routine: Establish a calming and consistent bedtime routine that signals to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This can include a bath, reading a book, or gentle rocking.
Responsive Parenting: Gentle Sleep Coaching emphasizes responding to your baby’s needs. If your baby wakes up during the night, respond with comfort and reassurance without immediately resorting to feeding or picking up.
Sleep Associations: Help your baby develop positive sleep associations, such as a special blanket or a lullaby, which can soothe them even when they are not in your bed.
Education and Support: Educate yourself about safe co-sleeping practices and seek support from sleep coaches, pediatricians, or lactation consultants if needed.
Sleep Training and Co-Sleeping Can Work.
As a certified Gentle Sleep Coach,I have dedicated my career to helping families find the best sleep solutions that work for their family and create safe sleep environments. For more information and personalized guidance on Gentle Sleep Coaching and co-sleeping, feel free to reach out to Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching. Together, we can ensure your family enjoys peaceful and restful nights.
If you are struggling with your child’s sleep, hope and help are available.
Are you struggling with your child’s sleep? Could you use some support?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
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