Co-Sleep With Your Baby: The Safe Sleep 7

I’m sure we’ve all heard the horror stories and have been told not to co-sleep with our baby. But it can be done safely.

The Safe Sleep 7 are guidelines given by Diane Wiessinger to share your bed safely with your baby. Diane is an expert on breastfeeding and has many more resources you can look into.

Dads! Is your breastfeeding wife not sleeping? Is she too scared to co-sleep? Take a look at these guidelines, and decide if they could help your wife sleep better.

No Smoking

Whether the parent smokes inside or outside the house, second-hand smoke adds too much risk to the baby’s health

Experts advise against smoking to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Sober Parents

I get it… You just want to take the edge off a little. It’s time to relax. Just not while you are trying to co-sleep.

Drinking adds an obvious and unnecessary risk of hurting your baby while co-sleeping.

Breastfeeding

The connection a mother and baby have is a miracle. Yes. We, dads, are jealous. If mom is still breastfeeding the baby, they are more in sync.

I’d bet that your wife has fallen asleep while breastfeeding her baby already. Her body is naturally more aware of your baby’s presence.

Healthy Baby

Co-sleeping is safer with a baby that was born full-term.

Baby Back

What are the best kind of ribs? Baby back ribs. Easy way to remember that your baby should sleep on their back

Our parents likely had us sleep on our bellies. Studies show that babies are better off sleeping on their backs.

No Sweat

You don’t want to overheat your baby. You don’t need to swaddle them.

Safe Surface

Babies need a firm mattress. Use a light blanket, and make sure it’s not too tightly tucked. No extra pillows. Nothing else on the bed.

This goes for safe baby sleep in general. This guideline should be followed even outside of co-sleeping.

Conclusion

My wife has co-slept with ALL of our babies at some point. Sometimes it’s just what you need to do to get some rest too. You can do it safely.

Breastfeeding will be easier and less stressful. She will get more sleep. The baby will probably get more sleep. Everyone will be happier when they’re well rested.

Support your wife the best you can. She still might not want to co-sleep. Everyone is different. Try to help in some way. If there are times that she is awake with the baby and she’s not breastfeeding, offer to take over.

I hope you found something helpful to help take some of the nightly burdens off your partner’s shoulders.