Should child rest in her own cot or in bed with you? There are arguments on both sides.

Benefits:

• Breastfeeding is simpler, you don’t have to get out of bed to feed child.
• Numerous moms say child sleeps better – if she wakes she is much more likely to be comforted by your presence and heartbeat and go back again to rest.
• You will most likely get much more rest.

Drawbacks:

• Other moms can’t rest for fear that they will roll more than and suffocate child.
• They wake any time child tends to make the slightest noise.
• Baby’s presence could disrupt your sex life.

According to the Basis for the Research of Infant Deaths:

• The most secure place for child to rest for the first 6 months is in a cot in your room.
• By no means rest collectively on a sofa or armchair – it is easy to suffocate child who can sink into the soft surface.
• Do NOT share a bed with child if you smoke, have drunken alcohol or take medicines that make you drowsy, are ill or are exceptionally tired (how many moms are not exceptionally tired in these first couple of months?!!).
• A recent research found the risk of infant death doubles if you co-rest prior to 8 weeks, and if both companion smokes this risk raises eleven-fold.
• Make sure baby’s room is not too warm, use lightweight sheets or blankets in her cot, and by no means use duvets or pillows as she might overheat or suffocate.

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Writer: Tony and Katy Luck who run a website with guidance on having a child, everything from conception to the toddler stage, and a personalized gift website.