The safest way for your baby to sleep is in his own bed in the same room as you for his first six months. This will teach your baby to sleep in his own bed right from the start, yet sharing a room means you can respond to his needs faster and easier when he wakes up in the night.
But it is not always possible to do this, especially if your room doesn’t have the space for a cot. One way is to use a moses basket but these can be expensive and can only be used for the first six to nine months. Other options include a palna or cloth cradle.
In our country, co-sleeping is the norm with most children sleeping in their parent’s bed till as old as six or seven years. Many mums feel that co-sleeping can make night-time breastfeeding and nappy changing easier. It often also means that your baby falls back asleep faster when he wakes up at night.
But you'll have to be vigilant that your baby is safe in your bed. Research has found that co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS or cot death. But many factors, most of which are lifestyle related, influence the risk of SIDS and the rate of SIDS amongst South Asian babies seems to be lower than other ethnicities despite the fact that most parents in South Asian countries like India share a bed with their babies. Nevertheless, the safest way for your baby to sleep has been found to be in his own bed in the same room as you.
Sleep-sharing has other pros and cons, and it isn't for everyone. In fact, some parents find it impossible to sleep with their baby tossing and turning all night and some also feel that having a baby in bed has put a hold on their love life.
If you do decide to co-sleep, it can be hard moving your baby from your bed into his own one and then into another room. Start by having the cot next to your bed first, then, if you have the space, move the cot further away.
If your baby has been sleeping in his own bed from the beginning, it will be easier to move him into his room. When you do it is entirely up to you and depends on what you feel most comfortable with. Many mums wait until their babies sleep well through the night before moving them into another room.
Once your baby is in another room, it might help to invest in a baby monitor. With a monitor in your room and in his room, you'll be able to hear any gurgling or crying which might need your attention.
If you live in a joint family, other family members may offer to co-sleep with your baby. You could ask them to assist you in helping your baby make the transition from the family bed to his own cot or room. This may work well as you’ll be more relaxed knowing there’s someone close at hand.
If, however, you live in a nuclear family you and your husband could take turns to sleep in the same room as your baby. Some parents also ask their live-in maid to share a room with their baby. This way you won’t be completely sleep deprived and there will be someone trustworthy with your baby at night time.
