Hi guys, Michelle here today with the Baby Cubby, and today we're gonna be chatting a
little bit about co-sleeping.
Co-sleeping is kind of a hot topic here in the U.S., I think often it's misunderstood
by many of us.
Co-sleeping is often thought of as "bed-sharing", but actually there's so many other options
that fall under the co-sleeping umbrella, so we're gonna chat a little bit about those
today, some safety things that go along with co-sleeping, and the new AAP guidelines that
came out last year that actually include bed-sharing as well.
So, stay tuned!
Okay, so for co-sleeping, there's four types of co-sleeping.
Bed sharing, bed extension, room-sharing, and co-sleep- like, situational co-sleeping.
So bed-sharing is the one that most people talk about and most people think about when
they hear the word "co-sleeping".
It should be noted that in the U.S. we - it's kind of looked down upon, although the AAP
did just come out with guidelines last year for it.
And then outside of the U.S. it's actually more well-accepted, especially in Asian countries,
so just be aware that part of it is cultural that we don't accept co-sleeping here in the
U.S. but part of it is also safety since we have associated it with higher rates of SIDS.
The next one is bed-extensions.
So this is when you have something like the Halo that's off to the side of your bed, or
it can even be like something that attaches to the side of your bed.
So basically your infant isn't in the bed with you physically, but it is somehow attached
to your bed, so that it just extends it a little bit.
And then there's room sharing, which is when you have either a portable crib like this
Nuna Sena, or even a full-sized crib, depending on the size of your room, in your actual room
with you, but they might be across the room rather than right next to you.
So personally, we do room sharing.
I have a Sena Mini in my bedroom with me and my husband and our daughter slept with us
in there for about a month or two in her Sena Mini.
And the final thing is situational co-sleeping.
This is usually what you'll find with like, older toddlers, or with infants who might
have a hard time at night sometimes.
So situational co-sleeping means there's a crib in a separate room, so they have a nursery,
and then if baby cries at night or your toddler has a bad dream or something, mom and dad
will go get them, bring them into their room, either put them in a bed extender or even
co sleep with them.
So those are the four types, and we'll be chatting a little bit about general safety
with each of those today, as well as some products that will help you stay safe while
you're doing them.
So I just want to touch on SIDS really fast, and what SIDS actually means so that you know
how to interpret the data that we'll be going through today.
So something to be aware of with SIDS - no one actually knows what causes it, there hasn't
been any data that's been substantiated with research or anything.
So please note that when it comes to everything we talk about with SIDS, SIDS is only correlated
with things, it's not necessarily caused by things.
So we know that - and I don't know the real statistics - but we know that maybe like,
out of the hundred babies that passed away from SIDS this year, fifty of them were bed-sharing
at the time.
So that's how they say that something "causes" SIDS, but be aware that it is a correlation,
and not necessarily a causation.
Okay, now we're just going to go over the AAP's guidelines for safe sleeping just in
general.
So number one, always place baby on their back.
During sleep cycles, you come out of your sleep cycle a little bit - after you go to
your REM sleep and then you come out - your body kinda does like a system check.
So it says, "Am I breathing?
Do I need to go to the bathroom?
Am I too hot?
Am I too cold?"
Those things.
What will happen with babies, though, is they might not come out of that cuz they're still
learning sleep cycles and everything, and then even, if they do, they're in a weird
position, they might not have the strength to get out of that position yet.
So they always say: place your baby on their back so that their neck is extended, so they're
not like this, and they're not blocking any airways.
The next thing is to always place them on a firm surface.
The reason for that being is that if you're sleeping on a soft surface, then your shoulders
kind of roll forward a little bit and your neck might go like this.
And for adults it's not that big of a deal because we have really developed airways,
our muscles are developed, we can adjust if we need to.
Infants don't have that ability.
Basically, make sure it's a firm surface that they're not gonna sink into so that their
- so that they can breathe just fine.
A "firm surface" as well is defined by the AAP as a surface that doesn't indent when
they are placed upon it.
Okay the next one is breast feeding.
And I don't want you moms out there who are formula feeding to worry too much - I formula
fed my first, she was just fine.
Many moms formula feed, most of our parents were formula-fed and they were just fine.
But breast feeding has been shown to have a correlation with the reduction of SIDS and
incidents of it, so if you can breast feed, even if it's just express breast milk, that
is the recommendation.
Among other reasons, the AAP always recommends to breast feed at least six months to a year
if possible.
But for those of you who can't or maybe chose not to, don't worry too much, it's okay.
Just realize that that is a correlation but there's other reasons too, so be aware.
Okay, so the next recommendation is a new one from the AAP from their guidelines last
year that they released.
It is to room share for at least six months to a year.
The main reason for them recommending room sharing is in the hopes that parents won't
bed share.
Room sharing, again, is either you have a full sized crib or a certified-for-overnight-sleep
portable crib like the Nuna Sena or the Sena Mini or even a 4Moms Breeze.
These products can go into your room.
Basically, room sharing is that they are in sight and sound and that you'll be able to
hear them if anything goes wrong or kind of keep track of them at night.
New parents may not know this, but as regular parents you'll find out soon that you tend
to stay awake and listen for your baby when you come out of your own REM sleep and do
that system check.
So that's what room sharing is good for: so that you can hear and see your baby if you
need to.
It has been shown from AAP studies to decrease the risk of SIDS by up to 50%, which is a
huge jump, so if you can room share, if you have the room, it's a great option for you.
The final guideline from the AAP, the main one, is babies should only be brought into
the parent's bed to be fed or comforted.
So be aware that you still need to follow safe guidelines like having a firm sleep surface
and making sure that baby's within sight and sound and trying to breast feed them if possible
- but that is the main thing.
Do not bring them into your bed unless they are being fed or comforted.
As well, the AAP says that if you know you're going to fall asleep or you're pretty sure
you will, to make sure that you - the bed is clear of any extra bedding.
So one of the reasons that bed sharing is associated with SIDS is because parents, number
one, have pillow tops on their beds, usually, because we like big, soft, comfy beds.
So if you do have a removable pillow top, remove it if you can while you're having your
baby, or make sure that there's something close enough that you can place them in there
instead so you don't fall asleep.
Number two, try not to use pillows while baby's in your bed cuz you don't want the pillow
to end up on top of them if you're moving around at night or your spouse.
And then, as well, to remove any blankets and heavy bedding.
So, if you have a big comforter, or a sheet, don't sleep with it while you have baby near
you so that it stays far away from baby's face.
Besides that, I - we would urge you to make sure that you use your best judgment.
If you as a parent are a heavy sleeper and you're not gonna wake up or your spouses,
do not bring them in bed with you.
Because you will not be able to wake up if something does start happening to your baby.
Make sure that you place them in a safe spot that they are going to be safe.
As well, though, it should be noted the AAP recommends having the baby come into your
bed to be fed or comforted rather than going to a couch or a reclining chair or something
if possible.
Again, if you're not a heavy sleeper or something.
Because what happens is there's a higher risk of baby getting caught in between couch cushions
or chair cushions as they slide out if you fall asleep, rather than them just laying
on a soft bed with you next to them and having bedding removed.
So again, use your best judgment as a parent, but please just keep those babies safe!
Those are the guidelines from the AAP.
Okay, finally just a couple random other recommendations from the AAp.
Number one, try and use wearable blankets if you can.
So often we'll swaddle babies when they're first born, cuz it does calm them down.
So we do recommend using an Ergobaby Swadler, or like a Ollie Baby one as well.
One that velcros, that won't come undone if they're sleeping or if they wiggle.
So they'll just stay right there, they'll stay swaddled for you, but it will stay on
them.
As well, the Oilo sleepers are what they're referring to when they say a "wearable blanket".
So this is one that has snaps on the top, it zips down, but it zips back up to keep
your baby - stay on your baby and everything.
So it's not gonna come off them and get twisted around them.
So what we're trying to avoid is entrapping them in any way or getting anything to cover
their face.
So that's why wearable blankets like the Oilo and the Ergobaby Swaddler are what's recommended.
The next thing: make sure your crib is free of stuffed animals or heavy quilt blankets.
So this is - we all love our heavy quilts, and they're so pretty for the nursery, but
it is recommended to make sure they're removed when your baby is sleeping.
So what I did when I was a new mom - I loved having a quilt hanging over cuz it does look
really pretty.
But whenever my daughter would go down for a nap, I would just remove it from the side
of the crib and fold it up and put it on my chair or on the ground so it wouldn't be in
her way while she was sleeping, and there wasn't any risk of her being entrapped.
Again, make sure there's no stuffed animals in there so that they don't fall over or your
baby doesn't grab onto them and cover their face with them.
There have been times where infants have passed away from SIDS even just from a light cotton
swaddle on them.
So use your best judgment.
If you have a really wriggly baby, maybe don't use - just be extra careful.
As well, the AAP does recommend using a pacifier if possible.
Again, it's been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
So if your baby will take a pacifier, use it.
It's been great.
Okay, so finally what we kind of want to go over to is the Dock-A-Tot.
There has been a lot of information flying around about bed-sharing devices.
I want to note that the AAP specifically says that the CPSC does NOT have guidelines on
bed-sharing devices or bed-extending devices.
So the Dock-A-Tot has lots of different safety guidelines but it also does not conform to
CPSC standards because there are none currently.
Last I went and checked, the CPSC is working on creating some, but they currently do not
have any standards for safety.
So the AAP actually does not have a recommendation either way to use them or not use them right
now, and so they say to use your best judgment.
With the Dock-A-Tot specifically, it has been engineered to allow 12 millileters of air
through its barriers per second.
That is the rate at which an infant breathes.
So if your baby gets saddled up against this bumper, they will be able to still breathe
clean, pure oxygen and not have a build-up of CO2 because of how it's been engineered.
There is a lot of science in the Dock-A-Tot, which is really exciting, and which we love.
You need to know to still use safe sleep practices, so make sure you don't place it on a surface
that is going to indent when you put your baby in the Dock-A-Tot.
So if the surface is indenting and the Dock-A-Tot is indenting, it's not a firm enough surface
for your baby to sleep on.
So use your best judgment with that.
As well, still use wearable blankets like the Oilo or the Ergobaby Swaddler and then
make sure you're following all of Dock-A-Tot's safety guidelines for usage as well.
They do say on there - it can be confusing - that parents need to be alert but not awake.
Again that goes back to the fact that most parents who, after you have a baby, you will
realize that you are a lot more awake and aware when your baby's around when you're
sleeping.
Trust me, I can tell you after two kids, I do not sleep as well when they're in my bed
versus when they're in their beds.
So use your best judgment as you as a person and how you are, and how your spouse is and
whether or not you should be utilizing an in-bed sleeper.
But they are a great option.
Even just for naps, if you want to just place it on the floor, which you know is going to
be a firm surface, and with a wearable blanket - and that's where you would like them to
sleep.
So that's a great place - great option for you as well that can also be a portable bed.
The reason we like the Sena so much is because it's actually really really nice for a firm
sleep surface, which is an especial recommendation from the AAP.
So most portable playards - they actually have a cardboard mattress.
So like, this right here is cardboard.
Ha!
Which eventually sags and gets saggy and isn't super supportive.
I mean, if you were sleeping on cardboard, it would sag right away.
The Sena and even the 4Moms Breeze as well, they both have plastic.
So it's a plastic sleep surface so it's never gonna sag on you, and it's gonna stay firm
and hold its shape, which is great!
It makes me so much more comfortable putting my baby in there rather than on something
that's going to sag over time.
As well, this is actually the new Nuna Sena Air, and so if you look in here, the plastic
is actually perforated now, and then the mattress itself is perforated as well, so that you
make sure that you get clean air flowing through all the time so that baby is always getting
fresh air.
That is a big worry for lots of new parents - that your baby isn't going to be getting
fresh air while they're sleeping, so make sure that - er, this is a great option if
you're worried about that, but want to room share.
One other recommendation from the AAP is, again, just not to use any soft bedding.
So that includes crib bumpers as well.
Crib bumpers, although they're nice for making sure baby doesn't get caught in between the
spindles on your crib, they are associated with higher rates of SIDS since baby can saddle
up against them and suffocate.
So be aware not to use that as well.
There are more recommendations - we have linked the full list of recommendations and study
and release of all their guidelines below, so feel free to go check that out!
It is a lot, but good to know for new parents.
Feel free to check that out below.
Thanks so much for joining us today to learn about co-sleeping basics!
Just so you know, all of our sources are linked in the description below, so feel free to
check those out if you want to learn more.
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