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!

The simple answer to this is any time, within reason. In general most babies get their first tooth at six months of age. These milk or deciduous teeth start to develop whilst your babies is in the uterus and as a result some babies are born with their first teeth through. Others will teeth early at 4 months whilst some babies do not develop their first tooth until around 1 year old.

Your babies teeth and how they develop:

On the whole your babies teeth develop in the following order.

• First to cut will usually be the bottom front two teeth, these are the bottom incisors and may develop at around 5-7 months.

• Next are the top front two teeth (top incisors) at approximately 9 to 11 months.

• Then the two top teeth either side of the front ones (top lateral incisors) at 8 to 11 months.

• Bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) 9 to 12 months.

• Canines are next (16 to 20 months) followed by Molars (12 to 16 months) and finally you will observe your toddler teething with their Second Molars (20 to 30 months.)

Symptoms of teething:

As all babies are different so are the symptoms they display varied. Some babies seem to have no trouble teething whilst others do suffer from mild discomfort to considerable pain.

Commonly a babies cheeks will be red and you will notice an increase in dribbling. The teething infant produces an excess amount of Saliva and their tops and faces can be constantly wet. Ensure you wipe and dry your child frequently as they can develop a rash on their chin and chest if left. Many parents find putting a bib on their baby helps at this time.

As a child tends to swallow the saliva another symptom can be an increase in loose stools or diarrhea. Lots of babies develop diaper rash and you will need to treat this by changing your babies diaper immediately and applying barrier creams.

Swollen and sore gums are very uncomfortable and you will find many good teething gels which have a mild local anaesthetic in them. Ensure the product is sugar free as some are not and can cause tooth decay in developing teeth.

You may notice your child biting or putting their hands in their mouths, even pulling at their ears as they teeth.

Mild temperatures or fevers are common also although be aware that they rarely reach over 101 degrees F/ 38.3 degrees C. If your child develops a temperature higher than this or it is raised for a prolonged time consult the advice of your doctor.

Another frustrating symptom of teething can be a refusal to eat. Some babies make a link between discomfort and food. You need to persevere and keep a watch on your child’s weight as they can lose some during bouts of teething.

Treating Teething:

Sugar free gels can relieve the discomfort of swollen gums, applying some 10 minutes before a meal can also help with a child who refuses to eat.

Cold raw vegetables and fruit can offer relief, raw carrot and apple are particularly good. Bread sticks are also good as a teething child likes to chew on them but DO NOT give rusks as these often contain sugar which can cause dental caries (tooth decay.)

If your child is refusing to eat try them with cool or cold mushy foods, cold fruit purees or even a slush mixture of frozen fruit juice, try mixing in apple puree too.

Pain killers designed for babies can offer relief from discomfort and reduce a temperature, ensure you follow the dosage carefully for the age of your baby.

Teething rings offer relief to sore gums and you can buy ones that are chilled in the refrigerator. To view a wide selection of excellent teething rings click here

One example of scare mongering having a negative effect is one that happened in Britain, when a medical paper written collaboratively by several doctors included a single line that raised the possibility that the MMR vaccination that had been in circulation for quite some time may be linked to autism in children. Although this line was written by one doctor, who had not even definitively claimed that the link was real and provable, the national press picked up on it and made it into a huge story. Although the other doctors involved in the study distanced themselves from the claim and it emerged that no evidence existed for any such link, the press had their story, and many parents were understandably reluctant to have their child immunised with the vaccine. When it comes down to it, getting medical advice from the media is not advisable.

The prevention of diaper rash is something that requires no small amount of diligence, as well as some luck. But there are some simple rules which can make the process a lot more straightforward. Firstly, you must change your baby’s diaper as soon as it is obviously soiled. This will prevent the infection from having somewhere to live. In the same spirit, it is important to clean your baby in the affected area after it has become soiled. Allowing the area to dry before putting on a fresh nappy is essential. A thin layer of ointment on the affected area will kill off germs while preventing others from taking hold. And applying the fresh diaper loosely will give room for the skin to breathe. Finally when your baby moves on to solid foods you should take a few days between introducing new items. This will help you determine if the infection is down to a food allergy.

The major cause of diaper rash is wetness. This is no big surprise. The reason that it does not occur with any regularity in adults, after all, is that we are able to perform our bathroom rituals ourselves and know what needs to be done – essentially, what feels right and what we have learned. Babies, however, urinate quite often and will sometimes be in a dirty diaper for a while before changing. In addition to this, their stools are generally quite loose and their bowel movements are more frequent than those of adults. Unless they are changed with a regularity bordering on the obsessive, there is a chance of infection. Even then a baby with sensitive skin can become infected.

In an older baby, a time of sickness which is treated with antibiotics can be a risky time, as they are prone to diarrhea and the higher risk of diaper rash that that can bring. In short, even the best parents can have a case to deal with, and it is how they respond that is important.

The diaper area of a baby will, unavoidably, come into contact with some bacteria on a regular basis. Even regular changes and cleaning can sometimes fail to pick it up. You will know when your baby has diaper rash, as it is characterized by skin in the diaper area appearing red and inflamed, and in some cases coming up in pimples. It will irritate the child and if left unchecked can develop into something worse, including a number of infections. As well as this, it will be obvious to any parent that the child is in quite some discomfort. They will cry more and louder, and show general displeasure. Keeping your baby clean will, however, keep diaper rash from occurring in a severe manner or too often, and swift corrective action including treatment with a gentle, pH neutral moisturizer will make a real difference, quickly.

A newborn, fully healthy baby will want to feed between eight and twelve times a day. They will automatically wake up in order to do this. A premature baby may prefer naturally to sleep, as they will tire easier due to their lack of strength. This may mean that you need to wake your baby and persuade him or her to feed. After a time this will become a more natural process as they gain in strength and consequently in appetite. While you are waiting for this to happen, it may be necessary to wake without “fully waking” – an alarm clock set to a gentle chime will mean that you can wake, feed, and go back to sleep, which is much better for your own health. By keeping your baby in the same room as you, you can simplify this matter a great deal.