11_BT_Nov 2022

Bump to Birth
9 Months
Safety with bed sharing (co-sleeping)
If your baby sleeps on the bed with
you, it is crucial that you always
keep in mind that your bed is not
designed like a crib, and hence it
lacks many safety features a crib will
have. Since it’s not designed to meet
the safety needs of an infant, you’ll
have to be extra careful when you
prepare your bed for co-sleeping.
Here are a few useful pointers.
• Slat size: Make sure headboards
and footboards do not have slats
wide enough to entrap your
baby's head. Slats should be no
more than 6 centimeters wide.
• Firmness of sleeping surface. Your
baby should be sleeping on a firm
surface. Ensure that your mattress
is not too soft or sagging for these
might pose a suffocation risk.
• Install a guard rail. Your baby
might not yet be mobile, but
accidents still do happen,
like a baby rolling off a
bed. You can prevent
such incidents by using a
guard rail or moving your
mattress against the wall.
Avoid guard rails with slats
though, and instead, get
one made from mesh.
• Bed size and space. Ensure
that your bed is not too
small or too crowded, for it
will be unsafe for a tiny baby.
• Space between mattress and
wall. Care needs to be taken
to avoid your baby becoming
entrapped between the mattress
and the wall or mattress and bed
rail.
Other points to ponder if baby shares a bed with you:
• If you or your partner are
exceptionally overweight or
obese, consider the use of a side
crib instead of having your little
infant on the bed with you.
• Don't put your baby to sleep
alone in an adult bed.
• Take care to avoid overdressing
your baby, since your body (and
your partner’s) are an added
heat source.
• Don't wear lingerie with string
ties longer than 8 inches and
avoid wearing dangling jewelry.
Your baby may get caught in these
entrapments.
• If your hair is very long (at or
approaching waist-length) it should
be pulled back and fastened to
prevent it from getting wound
around your baby's neck.
• Never sleep with your baby if you
are under the influence of drugs,
alcohol or any substance that could
diminish your awareness.
• Adults sharing the bed should not
smoke.
• Babies under 12 months should not
co-sleep with older siblings.
Apart but not far
For parents who don't like
sleeping apart from their baby,
but are fearful of sharing a
bed with their baby, try using a
sidecar arrangement. These are
crib-like infant beds that attach
securely and safely next to an
adult bed.
16 BabyTalk | November 2022