Often as new parents we worry about the safest and most effective options for our little ones - especially when it comes to their sleep. We may ask ourselves, where should they sleep? And how can we get them to sleep through the night?
As parents, there can be a lot of pressure and judgement around the topic, and our children’s sleeping success can sometimes feel like a reflection of our parenting abilities.. Keep reading to find out our top tips on safely co sleeping with the Shnuggle Air Crib.
What is co-sleeping?
Co-sleeping doesn’t have to mean sharing the same bed with baby, but it is when we allow our babies or young children to sleep close to us as parents in their own safe sleep space, rather than separately in their own room. Co-sleeping allows us to sleep in sensory proximity to one another, so that the baby or young child can sense the presence of their parents - bringing them comfort that helps them sleep more peacefully.
Sensory proximity can be created through touch, smell, taste or sound, meaning that whether you’re a few centimetres away or on the other side of the room, you can still have a calming effect on your little one.
Advantages of co-sleeping
Co-sleeping’s most commonly acknowledged advantage is how easy it makes breastfeeding. Babies who co sleep with their parents are generally breastfeed more often than babies who sleep alone.
Sleeping closer to your baby means that you are more likely to check on them and touch them more often throughout the night. This means you will notice more quickly if they are unwell during the night than if they were in a separate room.
Babies can often struggle to sleep without the closeness of a parent and can cry when they’re in a separate room far away from their parents. Co-sleeping with your little one can make it easier for you to respond to your baby, settle them more quickly and get better sleep quality for both of you.
There are many more advantages to both parent and baby with co-sleeping, including:
- It comforts and nurtures your baby
- Your baby feels safer throughout the night
- Less getting up and down in the night, so more sleep for you!
- Better for skin to skin contact
- Builds a stronger bond with your baby
- Combats prolonged crying
The Shnuggle Air Crib and Cot
The Shnuggle Air Crib provides a safe and cosy place for your little one to sleep nearby but in their own sleep space. The crib is height adjustable to match your bed making it easy to attach for co-sleeping. The breathable mesh sides and extra breathable mattress mean you can sleep easy knowing that your little one is safe and comfortable and make it easier to see baby through the night.
The Shnuggle Air Crib is designed to last and grow as your baby does with an additional option of the Air Cot Conversion Kit, allowing you to adapt the cot into a crib to continue co-sleeping as they pass six months old, reach a weight of 9kg or begin to roll over.
Safe Sleeping Industry standards advise that babies sleep safest in bedside cribs with the side up. The drop-down side allows you to access the baby easily for feeding and comforting, but the side should remain up while the baby or adult is sleeping.
Please ensure you check your bed’s compatibility and that the bedside crib is attached to your bed correctly and securely.
Never leave the baby sleeping with the side down on the crib as per user instructions.
Co-sleeping tips
1. Never leave your baby unattended with crib side down
Never leave the baby unattended with the side down on the crib. The side should always be up for sleeping and only used to easily access baby for feeding or comforting.
2. Place your baby to sleep on their back
Experts say the ‘Back to sleep’ practice is the safest sleeping position for your baby and that babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to encounter SIDS. They should be placed on their back with feet to the end of the crib to avoid them wriggling down.
3. Check Bedding and Room Temperature
Make sure your baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature of the room and that there is no loose bedding, soft toys or sleep positioners inside the crib/cot. The ideal room temperature for baby is 16 - 20 degrees celsius.
4. Check for gaps or crevices
Make sure when setting up the Air Crib that you have followed the instructions correctly and there are no gaps or crevices between it and the bed. Gaps and crevices create hazardous spaces that your baby could slip into.
5. Place the bed away from hazardous room features
Make sure there are no open windows, blind cords, lamps, picture frames or other hazardous items within reaching distance of your bed/the cot to avoid your baby grabbing them and injuring themselves.
If you do choose to sleep with baby in the same bed, please ensure you take every precaution to reduce all risks. Check out the Lullaby Trust’s advice for sharing a bed with baby.
As with any parenting techniques, there are pros and cons to any sleep choices available for your little one. Make sure to do your research and choose what you feel is right for you and your family. The Shnuggle Air Crib and Cot have been designed by parents for parents and are fully compliant with the latest safety standards.
Related Blogs:
Newborn sleep tips and surviving those first few months
Safer Sleep Week: Reinforcing Safe Sleep Practices For Babies
Creating a Breathable and Safe Sleeping Environment for Baby
