As a new and tired mama, you might be willing to try anything to get some much-needed zzz’s. And we know you’d also do anything to keep your baby safe. Luckily, you and your sweet babe can share sleeping space safely, so you can do both. We’re here to share the facts, tips and more to help.

Important Note: Co-sleeping is often used to describe a baby sleeping inside of an adult bed as well as sleeping in the same room. We’ll make sure to distinguish between the two as we go along.

Co-sleeping is often a source of arguments on social media and everywhere else. And although co-sleeping in the same room is safe, there are some dangerous consequences of sharing a bed with your baby.

For example, adult beds often have dangerous slats that babies can get stuck in. Babies can also fall into the space between your mattress and the bed frame or the mattress and the wall. It’s also possible for you or your partner to roll over onto your baby during the night. Unfortunately, these situations can lead to deadly suffocation.

It’s also possible that your baby could get used to sleeping with a parent, which makes transitioning them to their own bed difficult. Babies also require more sleep than adults. This means you may find yourself tucked in much earlier than normal, which may throw your routine for a loop.

Does Co-Sleeping Increase the Risk of SIDS?

Some studies have shown that co-sleeping with your baby inside your bed does increase the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. However, it all depends on your baby and their risk level. For example, some studies show that low-risk babies have a 1 in 46,000 chance of dying of SIDS while high-risk babies have a 1 in 150 chance.

It’s important to speak to your doctor and your baby’s doctor to determine whether co-sleeping is a safe option for your baby.

Co-sleeping risks start to decline as your baby grows. And it’s typically safe for a baby to co-sleep in your bed once they hit the age of one. Before that, babies are still getting used to moving their little bodies. This can be serious if they become unintentionally trapped in the night.

Co-sleeping in one bed is always unsafe if you’ve been drinking alcohol, taking drugs or using any kind of medication that results in drowsiness. These substances can decrease your ability to stir in the night, which can result in you accidentally rolling over onto your baby or moving your baby off the bed without knowing.

What Age Is Safe to Co-Sleep?

As we mentioned above, it’s recommended that you avoid sleeping with a baby in your bed that is under the age of one. If you need to bring your toddler into your bed for any reason, those over 12 months of age should be able to move properly to avoid becoming stuck or hurt during the night.

However, all little ones are different. It’s important to assess your child’s unique capabilities before attempting to bedshare.

Some parents simply want to stay close to their babies and others want an easier way to breastfeed during the night. Luckily, there are many benefits for co-sleeping with your baby on a safe surface other than your bed. For example, co-sleeping in the same room on different surfaces can:

• Inspire better sleep: Babies and parents can sleep better when co-sleeping. After all, you don’t have to get up and go to your baby’s room when it’s time to feed. You also don’t have to rock, settle your baby or risk waking your baby when leaving the room when it’s time to go back to sleep.

• Ease breastfeeding: Nighttime feedings can be tough. Co-sleeping enables you to quickly breastfeed your baby while staying near your bed, which makes going back to sleep faster for both you and your baby. And more sleep equals a happier tomorrow.

• Help your baby build an emotional bond with you and your partner: Some research shows that babies who co-sleep build strong emotional relationships with their parents. It can also help lower your baby’s stress levels.

• Regulate your baby’s physiology: Research shows that co-sleeping can stabilize your baby’s body temperature, regulate their heart rhythm and regulate their breathing. Amazing, right?

Co-sleeping in the same room, also known as room sharing, is the safest option for your baby. This means that your baby will sleep with you in the same room, but on a different surface than your bed such as a bassinet or a playpen sleeper. Some parents even move their baby’s crib into their bedrooms until it’s time to transition to a toddler bed.

Room sharing has been shown to reduce the risk of infant death by up to 50%. Plus, your baby will still be close by for nighttime feedings or diaper changes.

If you want to give your baby the safest environment to sleep in, the CDC delivers some safe sleep recommendations to follow:

• Place your baby on their back for all sleeping times, whether that’s a nap or at night.

• Use a firm sleep surface such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib.

• Remove all soft bedding such as blankets, pillows and bumper pads to avoid suffocation.

If you co-sleep with your baby in your bedroom or with your toddler in your bed, when you choose to stop is totally up to you. Some parents choose to wait until their babies make it through the months of fast development that occur during a baby’s first year of life.

Others choose to move their babies to their own rooms as soon as possible. And some parents co-sleep with their little ones until they’re 4 or 5. If you’re ready to move your baby out of your bedroom, here are some quick tips you can use to make it a smoother transition:

• Talk to your child: Toddlers crave information and they love to ask “why”. Take some time to prepare your child for the move by explaining the importance of good sleep and how sleeping in their own bed in their room can help.

• Decide who is responsible for wake-ups: It could take your little one a while to get used to their new sleeping arrangements. You and your partner should discuss who is responsible for late-night wake-ups and what steps you’ll take to put your baby back to bed.

• Grab a new nightlight or cuddly toy: Going to sleep in a new bed is much more fun when you have a new nightlight or cuddle buddy. Let your child pick out a cool night light or plush friend to take to bed with them.

Taking care of a baby is one of the rewarding and exhausting things you’ll ever do, mama. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered with all kinds of tips and insights inside our blog. Are you breastfeeding? Want to simplify that part of parenting? Then shop Willow today!