This years #safersleepweek is focusing on co-sleeping. Sister site Wakefield Mumbler explains more below…
Sadly, 4 babies die every week from SIDS and unsafe co-sleeping is certainly a factor. With greater awareness and information given to carers, we can together reduce this number!
I have co-slept on and off with Mini Mumbler since he was around 4 weeks. He still pops in now and then for a snuggle in the night, nearly 4 years on.
I started with a bedside crib and then ended up co-sleeping and moving into the spare bed as my husband likes to have the odd cigarette and glass of wine of an evening.
I did the change in the middle of one night when I was shattered! I remember going back to a document my NCT antenatal teacher had sent us and I had on my phone. It was really useful to have something I could check out and remind myself of what to do and not to do.
I remember that there was not much other information out there or if there was people had very strong opinions on the subject!
I also remember hiding the fact from my health visitor that I was co-sleeping as I couldn’t be bothered with the lecture that it wasn’t safe!
The thing that worried me the most about co-sleeping was the duvet and it getting onto Mini Mumbler so I invested in some thick PJs and a thick cardigan and ditched the duvet!
I absolutely understand co-sleeping is not for everyone but it worked for our family and I still do love Mini Mumbler coming for a snuggle in the middle of the night!
I love that this campaign is focusing on safer co-sleeping and it will help so many families have access to information to enable them to make their own informed decision on this subject and reduce hazardous co-sleeping situations!!
The Lullaby Trust, Public Health England, Unicef UK Baby Friendly and Basis give some key advice for safer co-sleeping [source Lullaby Trust]
You should never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair, this increases the risk of SIDS by 50 times.
It is important to know there are some circumstances where it is dangerous to share a bed with your baby. You should not co-sleep if:
They have also produced a great infographic to summarise these points
For more advice on safer sleep for your baby, download the free guide from the Lullaby Trust
If you have any top tips for safe co-sleeping please do share them on Ryedale, Scarborough, Whitby & Filey Mumbler Chat Group