The Do’s and Don’ts of co sleeping with your baby.

Sleeping with your baby seems like the most natural thing in the world but is it safe?

It is an issue that raises very strong opinions in experts and parents alike, so be warned if you choose to co sleep be prepared for every one to tell you exactly what they think.There is so much conflicting advice out there, experts are divided and the good old Media runs headlines to make your hair stand on end, often misquoting latest research.

In many Countries co sleeping is simply a way of life, a necessity and not an issue at all. So why in the West are we made to feel like bad parents if we consider it?

Mostly the reason is because people argue against it saying it isn’t safe, that a baby can be smothered accidentally as a parent may roll on the baby. The truth is if parents follow firm safety guidelines this is highly unlikely. The decision to co sleep should be the parents and theirs alone.

Some reports of studies into cot death have reported alarming figures of up to 54% of babies dying whilst co sleeping.The authors of such reports are quick to point out that these figures are only accurate when you realise other factors are involved such as the parents having consumed alcohol, drugs or are Smokers.

Many studies show co sleeping breast fed babies do wake more often for feeds, the nearness of that tempting milk, but are better at settling themselves back to sleep. The Mother therefore gets a better quality of sleep compared to getting out of bed into the cold, lifting her baby out of bed, feeding and then attempting to settle them.

Others point out that a co sleeping baby may be difficult to transfer into their own bed later on as it becomes necessary. This sounds like a very insecure little person but studies show co sleepers to be exactly the opposite. The point is the decision to co sleep is entirely personal and hopefully one you will have made after careful consideration.
The important thing to consider is your lifestyle and to be honest. Do you plan to

• drink alcohol
• smoke
• take prescription tranquilizers or
• recreational drugs?

If the answer to any of these is yes then co sleeping is not an option.

The affect of alcohol and drugs is they dull your awareness and this is vital when sharing your bed with your baby.

Smoke clings to clothes and is identified as a factor in cot deaths.

Mothers who co sleep are usually so attuned to their baby they are highly unlikely to roll onto them. Their partners are not always this sensitive, although they do become so. Babies are advised to sleep either between their Mother and a bed guard or between their Mother and the wall. If either of you are fitful active sleepers then co sleeping shouldn’t be considered.

Another consideration is the affect a baby in bed may have on your love life, some find a co sleeper in the bed means intimacy goes out the window! This can add strain to a relationship, so consider carefully.

Here are the main Do’s and Dont’s.

Don’t co sleep if:-

 

1. You are a fitful active sleeper.
2. You have drunk alcohol, taken drugs or smoke.
3. You are sleep deprived as your awareness may be compromised.
4. You are Obese as smothering is an issue.
5. You have a waterbed as baby can suffocate.
6. You are the babysitter, the awareness is not the same as a parent.
7. You use a cushion to feed baby on as you may fall asleep and baby may fall or be smothered.

And DON’T allow baby to become overheated, consider your bedding.

Do co sleep if:

 

1. You have a large enough bed, Queen or Kingsize.
2. You place baby next to Mother and wall or bed guard. NOT between parents.
3. You place baby on their back to the bed.

 

Do consider a bedside crib, as some babies simply sleep better alone. You can keep baby near but still in their crib.

Do enjoy your baby, as they grow so quickly!

Features to Look for on the Best Baby Monitors

There are many very good baby monitors available to buy. On the best baby monitors features to look for are :

• It has Wireless technology.
• Non interference technology
• An incorporated digital camera that can show the video footage on the receiver
• Its allows you to talk to your children through the monitor and soothe your baby
• Lightweight and comes with a belt clip

Additional facilities to consider in the best baby monitors if your child asthma, sleep apnea or bronchitis etc

• Room temperature monitor
• Movement sensors
• Baby heart and breathing monitor

For parents that have hearing problems and vibrating alert is also something to be considered useful

Motorola, Summer Infant Day, Phillips, Angelcare, Mobicam and others, all make Baby Monitors that incorporate many if not all of the above features

Here are a few examples:-

What to Look for in a Video Baby Monitor

The major benefit of a video baby monitor is that you can keep a close eye on your child from a different room in the house. Monitors are either audio or video in nature. For many years audio monitors have been popular but  with the advent of technology video monitors are fast becoming the must have monitoring device for  the modern parents.

There is a considerable variety of models to choose from when considering buying a video baby monitor. By browsing them online you can read reviews and usually find cheaper deals than those in store. You can choose the quantity of cameras that are included with a  video monitor, these can be 2,3 or even 4. There are also models which allow you to switch to night vision enabling you to monitor your child in a darkened room.

As well as video images these monitors still provide an audio monitor option so you can listen to your child in the usual way. Another useful function that you may wish to consider is a talk back facility, this two way communication allows you to talk to your infant and sooth them without actually entering the room.

A video baby monitor comes in two parts, one is a transmitting device that has an inbuilt camera and microphone, this is placed so the baby can  be seen and a monitor with a screen that receives the picture of your infant. These monitors are portable and can be carried around as required. Some monitors that are fitted with infra red options enable you to see your baby in darkness.

You can buy video baby monitors which can be attached to a wall in a permanent setting or even ones that are remote controlled, allowing you to turn the camera in response to a restless, moving child. Should you require extra cameras you can easily purchase them which increases the coverage area monitored whilst your baby sleeps or plays. Real time images are conveyed via cables onto either a computer or television screen.

So how do you choose the best baby monitor for you and your baby?
Consider the following:

• Where will you position the monitor? Will you need access to mains power or will you require rechargeable battery power? The monitor will indicate when power is low or you are not within range.

• You need to consider the transmission range you will require and ensure the monitor you select allows adequate coverage. Remember you may require the monitor to function whilst you are in the garden or even transmit the images of your toddler from the garden therefore check coverage before you buy.

• Screen size; Will the screen needs to cover your baby’s every move but not be so large that you cannot  easily carry it. Some screens are heavy and not easily portable, most people prefer a palm sized screen.

• Would you want your monitor to have WiFi internet access

• Interference; this can be a problem as most monitors use radio waves and can be affected by computer networks, wireless phones and even your microwave. There is always the possibility that your neighbor can pick up your signal on their monitor or visa versa, so consider a monitor that has a variety of frequencies to choose from.

Here is a list of video baby monitors with their unique features.

* There are many companies Lorex, Motorola, Mobicam, Summer Infant and Levana that offer video baby monitors.
Summer Infant Best View Handheld Color Video Monitor from Summer Infant has an LCD screen of 2.5î it is Small, lightweight in size with B&W night vision, LED sound lights and one touch video on/off for night time convenience that zooms in and out.
Lorex LW2003 LIVE snap is Compact, has rechargeable camera and video monitor.
Snap, store, and share with microSD recording Talk with Baby (Two-way audio communication) See baby at all times with automatic night vision Secure, interference-free, long-range digital signal
Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor has High resolution with 2.4 inch diagonal color display, Enhanced infrared night vision, 2 way communication, Portable parent unit 3.5 hours wireless monitoring without recharging
Mobicam DXR Digital Monitoring System has High-resolution, color LCD display for crisp picture, Record directly to the receiver, Expand system to 4 cameras, Two-way communication, See all 4 cameras on the quad screen view
Levana BABYVIEW20 Digital video and audio signals between camera and monitor are secure and interference free and also has:-

Rechargeable monitor that comes with ENERGY STAR qualified adapter
Night vision allows you to monitor your child around the clock
Standby mode allows you to turn off the monitor’s screen and be alerted only when your child makes noise. The camera helps soothe your child with lullabies and a built-in night light