Our bedsharing journey
Before she was born
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I started researching where our little chickpea should sleep. The local authority on childcare in Flanders is Kind & Gezin. They monitor all children’s health in Flanders from when they are a baby until when they start going to school at 2,5 years. They have an important role in guiding parents, as they are the primary source of information for many parents. Their official recommendation states that a baby should sleep in the same room as the parents for at least the first 6 months and preferably the first year. The baby should sleep close to the parents but in its own bed. Bedsharing is discouraged as it is considered unsafe due to the increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Other organizations give the same recommendations:
- the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics): https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/safe-sleep/Pages/Safe-Sleep-Recommendations.aspx
- the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/reducing-risk-cot-death/
Even though my husband was very excited about having her sleep in the same bed with us, the thought of SIDS terrified me. No way we would ever sleep in the same bed with her as a baby. As I am writing this, our daughter is 13 weeks and has been sleeping with us for 8 weeks.
