As the end of your pregnancy journey draws near and the finish line comes into view, you may begin to consider some of the practical items that you may wish to splurge out on to make the fourth trimester and your postnatal days a little smoother. One of the items that may catch your eye is a co-sleeper, because let's face it– the prospect of newborn sleep, or rather, the lack thereof, is enough to keep any parent-to-be awake at night. The apprehension about whether your baby will sleep, the countless discussions and advice-seeking sessions with friends and family, all revolve around one central theme: how will we ever get some rest once the baby arrives? It's a universal concern, a shared experience among parents-to-be worldwide, and one that deserves thoughtful consideration as you prepare to welcome your little one into the world.
Firstly, let’s look at the practice of co-sleeping. Dr. James Kckenna, PhD, the worlds leading expert on mother-infant sleep, states that ‘a human infant is biologically designed to sleep next to its mother’s body and to breastfeed intermittently throughout the night, at least for the first year of life’. James suggests that human maternal care practices and infant vulnerabilities have co-evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. No matter what cultural values attempt to circumvent this, the fact is that this is how our bodies were designed to nurture our babies and it is what our babies expect.
And we can look to all corners of the globe to demonstrate this point. Co-sleeping (Soine) is a common practice for Japanese families, with parents sharing sleeping spaces with their children until around the age of ten. Soine is seen as a means to sustain connection through touch or ‘skinship’ between a mother and child. Mayan families in Guatemala, consider bed sharing to be the only way to parent through the night and their babies will bed share and breastfeed at will until a new baby comes along. In Bali, babies do not touch the ground until they are three months old. The first three months are sacred as a baby’s connection to spirit is kept intact, they are not ready to touch the earth yet and so are often held close to their mother day and night.
However, as much as these cultural practices highlight the natural inclination towards close proximity between mothers and babies, the approach in Western societies often takes a different course. Here, there's a prevailing emphasis on independence from day one. From the moment a baby is born, there's an unspoken expectation to establish routines and encourage self-soothing behaviors. It's ingrained in our parenting culture to strive for autonomy, often leading parents to feel like they're failing when their newborns don't conform to these expectations. We're encouraged to place babies in bassinets or cribs from the outset, with the belief that fostering independence from an early age is paramount. Yet, when our little ones inevitably resist these attempts at separation, it's easy to fall into a cycle of self-doubt and frustration.
Now, at this stage i feel like we should actually explore the two terms, co-sleeping and bed sharing. Although bed sharing is not recommended in New Zealand, it's crucial to acknowledge its prevalence in many other countries. Providing information about bed sharing can be invaluable for parents who opt for this practice, aiding them in reducing risks where possible.
Bed sharing involves the mother and baby sharing the same sleep surface, typically a firm mattress. As mentioned earlier, this is a common practice worldwide, often chosen by families regardless of safe sleep recommendations. Despite not being endorsed in New Zealand, there are guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) for those who choose to bed share. These guidelines include maintaining a smoke-free home, abstaining from alcohol, drugs, or sedatives by anyone sharing the bed with the baby, ensuring the baby is ideally breastfeeding, avoiding swaddling, refraining from using pillows, blankets, or duvets, placing the baby on their back to sleep, ensuring no other children are in the bed during sleep, avoiding waterbeds, and ensuring there are no gaps where the baby could slip down into.
Co sleeping, by definition, in New Zealand is simply having your baby in the same room as you. The practice of co-sleeping is very protective against SUDI (Sudden Infant Death in Infancy) and it is recommenced that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first 6-12 months of their life. Co-sleeping doesn’t mean having your baby directly in your sleep space, however it could mean having baby in a safe bedside bassinest or ‘co-sleeper’. These are a great option as they meet all the safe sleep guidelines. It could be said that they are the best of both worlds. You can have your baby close, breastfeeding with ease, baby has their own safe space and you have yours.
So, we've established that co-sleeping, having your baby in the same room as you, is protective against Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). Now, let's take a closer look at a practical option for implementing co-sleeping: the co-sleeper bassinet. Investing in a co-sleeper can offer a range of benefits for both you and your baby, making those early days and nights a little smoother.
Hassle free breastfeeding
Let's dive into one of the most significant advantages of a co-sleeper bassinet: hassle-free breastfeeding. In my opinion as a lactation consultant, with your baby nestled snugly in a co-sleeper right beside your bed, nighttime feedings become effortless and convenient. There's no need to stumble through the dark to a separate room or disrupt your sleep routine. Instead, you can simply reach over, scoop up your little one, and bring them close for feeding without even having to fully wake up. This close proximity not only makes breastfeeding more comfortable for you but also encourages frequent, responsive feeding throughout the night, which is crucial for establishing and maintaining a robust milk supply. So, if you're looking to simplify your nighttime routine and ensure that both you and your baby get the rest you need, a co-sleeper bassinet could be just the solution you're searching for.
Ideal for C-Section moms
For Caesarean section moms, a co-sleeper bassinet can be a game-changer in postpartum recovery. After undergoing major abdominal surgery, getting in and out of bed and twisting can be challenging and uncomfortable, especially in those first few weeks. Having your baby right beside you in a co-sleeper eliminates the need to navigate getting in and out of bed multiple times throughout the night. Instead, you can simply reach over to attend to your baby's needs without straining your wound or disrupting your rest.
Promotes responsive parenting
Using a co-sleeper bassinet encourages responsive parenting, a cornerstone of nurturing your baby's emotional and physical well-being. With your baby nestled beside your bed, you're able to quickly respond to their needs throughout the night, whether it's feeding, comforting, or soothing back to sleep. This responsive approach fosters a strong sense of security and trust in your baby, knowing that you're always nearby to provide comfort and reassurance. By promptly attending to your baby's cues and signals, you not only meet their immediate needs but also strengthen the bond between you and your little one. Responsive parenting lays the foundation for healthy attachment and emotional development, setting the stage for a lifetime of loving connection and secure relationships. So, by incorporating a co-sleeper bassinet into your nighttime routine, you're not just providing a safe sleeping environment for your baby but also embracing a parenting philosophy that prioritizes attentiveness, warmth, and connection.
We've explored the many reasons why a co-sleeper bassinet is a big hit for the fourth trimester, from hassle-free breastfeeding to promoting safe sleep practices and responsive parenting. As a lactation consultant and holistic sleep consultant, I'm excited to share my top pick with you: the Edward’s and Co Snuzpod4. This innovative co-sleeper stands out for its sturdiness, ease of assembly, and thoughtful design features. With a combination of unique airflow vents, air-permeable mesh liner, and base ventilation, the Snuzpod4 prioritises airflow and breathability for a great night's sleep all around. It's for these reasons that the Snuzpod4 has earned its place as my absolute favorite, and why we've chosen to feature it prominently in The Nest . When it comes to creating a nurturing and comfortable sleep environment for you and your baby during those precious early months, the Snuzpod4 delivers on all fronts. So, here's to restful nights and fun filled days.
