By Gabi Falanga 

Moms and babies sleeping together is perfectly natural. But, this practise is often frowned upon by people who believe that these babies face an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). La Leche League International – seven factors to take into account to ensure it’s safe to share a bed with your baby. They are: 

1. No smoking: Do not sleep with baby if you or your parent are smokers, or if you smoked during your pregnancy. 
2. Sober parents: Both parents must have had no alcohol, drugs, or medication which makes you drowsy. 
3. Breastfeeding: Babies who share a sleep surface with their parents, are safest if they are breastfed. The reason for this is the way a breastfeeding mom positions her body next to baby, in a position called the cuddle curl. Her knees come up and her lower arm tucks underneath her head or pillow. This creates a protected space for your baby. You can’t roll toward your baby because your bent legs prevent this, and no one else can roll into the baby’s space because your knees and elbows are in the way. It’s also thought that breastfed babies who sleep next to their mothers arouse more easily from deep sleep, reducing their risk of SIDS.
4. Healthy and full term: Babies who were premature or had low birth weight should preferably not bed share, but can still sleep in the same bedroom as their parents, but on a separate surface. 
5. Baby on back: Your baby should sleep on its back when in your bed and not nursing.
6. Lightly dressed: Make sure your baby isn’t at risk of overheating if they share your bed with you. They shouldn’t be over-dressed or swaddled. 
7. Safe surface: You and your baby should be on a firm mattress, with no extra pillows, toys or heavy covers. Keep strings and cords far away from the bed, and use rolled towels or baby blankets to firmly pack into any gaps between the bed and a wall or co-sleeper cot. Don’t put anything over your baby’s head.  

To make these seven tips even easier to remember, it’s been turned into a song to the tune of “Row, row, row your boat”:

No smoke, sober mom

Baby at your breast

Healthy baby on his back 

Keep him lightly dressed. 

Not too soft a bed

Watch the cords and gaps

Keep the covers off his head

For your nights and naps.

Parents who aren’t able to bed-share safely, can also consider co-sleeping, where your baby still sleeps in your room in close proximity to you in their own cot.
According to Kellymom, the advantages of bed sharing and co-sleeping are that the parents and babies often get more sleep, breastfeeding is easier, it helps to maintain your milk supply, and there are less bedtime hassles.