Everybody Sleeps in the Same Room
Ready, Set, Go - New Bedroom for New Baby
There are few things more fun for a new Mom (or even experienced Moms) than decorating the new baby’s room. We coordinate colors and stack diapers while quietly fantasizing about the sweet moments when we’ll gently lay our beloved newborn into her crib and silently creep out of the room to enjoy a healthy gourmet meal with our partner while discussing world events. Ah….its a wonderful time isn’t it?
Well chances are your precious tot will spend very little time in that lovely new room for far longer than you expect.
When Will Baby Sleep in Their Bed?
The reality is that your newborn is unlikely to sleep inside the the charming crib that you spent an entire day assembling until she is 6 months or older. Further your newborn should and probably will be sleeping with you IN YOUR ROOM for about the first 6 months.
This is called co-rooming which simply implies that the baby is somewhere within your bedroom. This is different from co-sleeping which means that the baby is actually IN your bed.
There are a number of compelling reasons for your baby to stay in your room for the first 6 months:
- Safety. Numerous health organizations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, SIDS Alliance and NIH) suggest that the safest place for your newborn to sleep is in your room with you.
- Convenience. Regardless of your choice to breastfeed, bottlefeed, or something in-between, your newborn is going to be eating anywhere from 2-6 times a night for months. Schlepping around the house at 3:00 AM is unappealing to even the most devoted night owls.
- Oversight. If you are like most new parents you will need to compulsively check on your newborn baby for many months. This will include waking up every time they make a noise (note: newborns make a LOT of noise), checking their toes to make sure they aren’t cold, and of course – making sure they are still breathing. Its not just you – we all do this.
Everybody Sleeps in the Same Room
Accepting this reality far simplifies the process of sleep parenting for the first few months. It removes any pressure to try to shoehorn baby into their room for a while. And it frees you to look at your bedroom and make changes that will help both you AND baby sleep safely and comfortably for the first few months. So take a few minutes out of your room decorating fun and think about what might make you both more comfortable in YOUR room. Consider things like block-out blinds, white noise generator, and of course a safe-sleep option that fits comfortably next to your bed, that you will undoubtedly use in the coming months.
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The baby in this picture is under a blanket? I thought you could use light blankets so long as they’re tucked in tightly. What’s the general rule on this stuff — if the temp is supposed to be 68 – 72, what kind of clothing layers, blankets, etc. can you use? At what ages is it safer to put a blanket in there? Thx, Matt
I don’t think blankets are ideal. But this picture was SOOOO awesome I couldn’t pass it up.
The odds of a light blanket posing an entrapment or strangulation hazard is VERY low. Still if you want to be extremely safety conscious, it’s better to avoid all blankets till age 1. And frankly I’m a fan of no blankets till 2. Not because a 1.5 YO is at risk with a blanket but because they move around so much that they become dislodged so they aren’t really effective warming tools for little kids.
Alexis recently posted..Is Cry it Out the Answer?
I smoke 3-5 cigs a day & am currently co sleeping (nt by choice) I’m wondering why ‘they’ say co sleeping isn’t safe for smoking parents (although I don’t smoke before bed & alws wash hands\mouth thoroughly) any ideas why ‘they’ say this?
Also my baby has a lot of the silent reflux syptoms & cries between 10am & 3am most nites,I do use a flattish mini pillow for her so she isn’t lying flat,is this ok? I also use a quilt (comforter) which I have once found covering her face,would you recommend seperate blanket for baby in bed?
I have read your blog about swing and I am going to try with it although I am concerned it will be uncomfortable for 8 hour night sleep ?
I’m really sorry to bombard you with Q’s its just as a first time mom with a crying baby and a partner who works nite’s I am more than a lil stressed
P.s I love yr information,so informative plus witty and comical. Love Nicola xx
Oh honey, I’m a little worried about you! Reflux? Unwillingly co-sleeping? Solo parenting at night? That’s a lot of rough stuff there. Is there anybody you can reach out to for a little help? Family?
OK here’s my 2 cents.
1) No smoking while co-sleeping. There is TONS of evidence that this is a bad idea. Basically cigarettes depress your awareness of your baby while in bed with you. And 2nd-hand smoke has a significant negative impact on your baby. Both of which greatly increase the risk of SIDS. PLEASE find another place for her to sleep.
“They” is the American Academy of Pediatrics – over 50,000 pediatric doctors and specialists. You can read up more about it here:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/3/650
2) No blankets and no baby positioners either. Again both of these are additional risk factors for SIDS. How do you stay warm when co-sleeping? Turn the heat up or wear warmer jammies. Or, as I am strongly suggesting, have her sleep some place other than your bed (then you can use your quilt again!).
3) If she is struggling with reflux maybe you could talk to your pediatrician? I would also ask your pediatrician about the use of blankets and co-sleeping while smoking. I can almost guarantee that they’ll back up my advice on this.
4) Babies don’t find the swing uncomfortable. Most safe baby sleep surfaces are pretty hard (baby mattresses are like rocks) so the swing isn’t much different. If your baby has reflux the angle of the swing should help a lot. Check out the article below for more ideas on managing reflux.
I know lots of people feel funny about asking for help – I get it, I do. But this is no time to be proud. Babies are hard. Refluxing babies are super hard. Night parenting without any help is brutally hard. Ask for help. If you don’t know where to get help, as your pediatrician for advice.
I’m sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Best of luck with everything!
Alexis
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