Then, in the 10th century, the Catholic Church forbade parents to sleep in the same bed as their children. Doucleff suggests that this may have been driven by classism and the belief that the poor were inherently worse parents.
By , the Church went so far as to excommunicate women who slept with their infants. This Western approach is very different from many other parts of the world, where c0-sleeping is the norm, and, in fact, the notion of separating parents and children seems cruel.
My own ancestors, in China and India, slept in the same bed as their children, often until they were several years old, according to historians. In these countries, co-sleeping continues to be widely practiced, and there is no evidence that it increases SIDS.
But the design of the co-sleeping arrangements in these countries also matters. In many of these countries, which are tropical, there are few pillows and blankets that might suffocate or smother the child. This might partly explain why co-sleeping is safer in these countries. In New Zealand and the United Kingdom, pediatricians have loosened their stance on co-sleeping.
And this has, in fact, led to a significant decrease in sudden infant death. This may be because parents feel they can talk openly about their desire to co-sleep. In cases where doctors feel it would be too risky, such as if the parent has a history of alcoholism, they articulate the risk clearly, which might help those parents avoid SIDS.
Which brings us back to the co-sleeper at Gelderse Vallei. Equipped with the latest pediatric research, designers could create a device that is safe, easy to use, and encourages bonding between parents and children. To get such a project off the ground, pediatricians in this country would need to radically rethink their approach to co-sleeping and be open to collaborating with parents and designers to find solutions.
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The BabyCenter Bulletin Get the latest parenting news, plus expert advice and real-world wisdom. Also, make sure that it is not easy for your baby to roll and slip between the co-sleeper crib and mattresses. Most co-sleeper bed injuries occurred from this type of accident. Mattresses also need to be firm and secure in the bedside bassinet.
Bassinet mattresses are not standard sizes, so you will want to purchase the appropriate mattress for your equipment and ensure the sheets you choose fit properly. Loose or ill-fitting sheets can be a safety hazard. If your bassinet is inconvenient, you will not find it valuable. Make sure that it is easy to reach the baby when you need to do so but quickly moved when you need to get out of bed. If you feel that it is cumbersome, in the way, or otherwise inconvenient, you will be less likely to use it.
You may also want to make sure that it is portable. You may want to be able to take it with you if you go on vacation, visit relatives, or simply move it to the other side of the bed for a night.
If it is difficult to move, pack, or adjust, you will likely become unhappy very quickly. Co-sleeper cribs have many styles of bases, but they need to feel sturdy. If you think it is going to tip over whenever the baby is on one side or the other or if you scoot it a few inches, you will be less likely to feel safe using it. If it does tip easily, this is a significant safety concern. Whenever possible, view these in the store first to see how much they wobble or feel unsteady.
Make sure that your co-sleeper will adjust to the correct height for your bed. It seems that every bed you buy is a different height. Some frames sit higher or lower, and mattresses come in different thicknesses as well. Make sure that whatever you choose, the height of the co-sleeper is comfortable for accessing your baby. This also means that you will want to be able to easily see your baby from the open side. This is a short-term piece of equipment. While a crib is also temporary, some cribs convert to toddler beds and even twin- or full-size beds.
A co-sleeper does not have that versatility. You will want to purchase a quality bedside bassinet, but it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars. Probably the most crucial comfort feature is the bassinet rocks or allows you to gently soothe your baby back to sleep if he or she wakes momentarily. You also want to make sure that the bassinet is not too small or cramped inside.
You will not need extra bedding, as babies do not need blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in their sleeping space. Much like stability, you will want to make sure that the co-sleeper is durable. You do not want sides that easily tear, screws that come loose or paint that chips. A flimsy, poorly manufactured co-sleeper will pose safety concerns and risks.
Spitting up and diaper mishaps happen, sometimes in the middle of the night. You will want to make sure that you can get an adequate number of sheets and that a leak here or there does not ruin the sleeper for the night.
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