Co-sleeping safely.

You may not have planned on co-sleeping with your infant, but hey, most of us will do anything to get some more sleep!Quite often parents and infants get more and better quality sleep when co-sleeping. Nursing can be quick and easy when co-sleeping (that is if you can nurse lying down, personally I never could).

Though don't feel pressured into co-sleeping, every family is different and it suits some more than others. I didn't so-sleep with either of my children, I am such a light sleeper (and I was unable to nurse lying down) that I would wake whenever baby moved (and if you've had a baby you know they are noisy fidgety little things!). I had my daughters in a bassinet next to our bed.

If you are going to co-sleep you want to make sure that you are co-sleeping safely with your infant, he are some things to consider;

• make sure that both parents agree to co-sleep. You are bring someone new into your and your partners bed, everyone needs to agree.
• Where will baby sleep? Yes I know in bed with you, but where? Will they be in-between you and your partner? Or, will they be between Mom and the side of the bed. You will need a guardrail on the side of the bed.
• When your infant is young don't use pillows or covers on your infant.
• Make sure there is no gap between the mattress and the headboard/guardrail.
• Never let and pets onto your bed.
• Never leave your child unattended. If you are not ready to go to bed when your infant does (I suggest you do sleep when your infant does) then you can always let them start the night in the crib and move into bed with you when they wake for the first feed.
• Never co-sleep if you have drunk alcohol or taken any drugs or medications.

Enjoy your co-sleeping experience and sleep well.