La Leche League has shared practical tips on nighttime parenting of breastfed infants (including bedsharing) for nearly 50 years, basing its information on the day-to-day experiences of families from around the world and incorporating research-based knowledge. It is important that mothers are informed about the benefits as well as the possible risks associated with different sleeping places for their babies, in the context of their own family circumstances. They can then do what parents have always done-evaluate the risks and benefits, and make the choice for themselves.
The goal for everyone is easy breastfeeding, safe sleeping, and a good nights rest for everyone, wherever baby sleeps.

SLEEP SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY
As stated in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, “Once you can feed the baby while comfortably stretched out, you’ve eliminated much of the work of mothering for eight of the 24 hours in a day.”

Sleep Safety Tips for Parents of Breastfed Babies DO:
  • Place your baby to sleep on his back.
  • Avoid exposing your baby to cigarette smoke as this increases the risk of SIDS.
  • Keep your sleeping baby close, not in a room alone.
  • Sleep facing your baby in bed (your thigh should prevent him slipping under the covers).
  • Place your baby with his feet to the foot of any crib or pram.
  • Check your babies sleeping area for hazards.
  • Choose a mattress that is firm, flat, well-fitting, and clean, and cover with a close fitting sheet.
  • Check for gaps he might get trapped in.
  • Ensure he can’t fall out.
  • Choose nightclothes without strings or ties that might strangle.
  • Keep covers and pillows away from your baby’s head and face.
  • Keep and adult between any older children and your baby in bed.
  • Make sure your baby does not get too hot or too cold while sleeping.
  • Keep pets out of your baby’s sleeping place.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR SLEEPING BABY:

  • Near a fire or radiator, or in full sun.
  • Wearing warm outdoor clothing when indoors.
  • On a couch or armchair.
  • If any person in the bed has drunk alcohol, taken drugs (legal or illegal) that could make them extra sleepy, or it is too exhausted to be aware of your baby.
  • If any person in the bed is a smoker (even if they never smoke in bed).
  • If any person in the bed has an illness or condition that affects their awareness of your baby.

Tips for Easy Nights with Breastfed Babies

Many mothers have found that being inventive with their sleeping arrangements can help make nights easier with a baby. Some of these ideas might make nights easier for you, too, but only you know your own circumstances. Always keep safety in mind.

Some Ideas To Try:

  • Pushing your baby’s crib right up to your bed. Lower the side and raise the base for easy access at night (tie the crib to your bed if you can).
  • Using a crib designed for co sleeping.
  • Using a king-sized bed.
  • Making your bed bigger: put a single at the side of for dad to sleep on, but keep your baby away from the gap in the mattress.
  • Nursing on a mattress on the floor.

Avoid Tumbles By:

  • Putting a guardrail at the side of the bed.
  • Taking the legs off the bed or putting mattresses on the floor (air them each day to avoid condensation).

  • Keep Comfortable By:*
  • Having separate bedding for each sleeper, but make sure your baby does not get covered by everyone else’s bedding as well as their own.
  • Dressing your baby in tight nightclothes to avoid overheating.
  • Putting an extra thick nappy to avoid unnecessary changes in the night.
  • Keeping a towel handy in case of damp nappies or leaking milk.

Learn to Feed Laying Down By:

  • Practicing in the daytime.
  • Keeping a low light on.
  • Going to La Leche League meetings and learning from other mothers.

The above safety tips apply to healthy full-term breastfed infants. If your baby seems unwell, seek medical advice promptly.

Remember that safety tips can help reduce the risk of SIDS and accidents, but cannot eliminate the risk altogether.

Higham, B. Sharing sleep with babies: the benefits of safe nightime slumbers NEW BEGINNINGS Nov-Dec 2007