Damon Mcknight
Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, is a highly debated topic in Australia and other Western countries. While it is not illegal, it is not recommended by some organisations due to safety concerns. However, some parents choose to co-sleep for various reasons, such as breastfeeding and bonding. To ensure safety, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines, such as using a firm mattress, keeping the baby's head and face uncovered, and avoiding co-sleeping when tired, unwell, or under the influence of substances. The Australian government has implemented legislative requirements concerning sleep and rest practices in education and care services, emphasising the importance of creating safe environments for children.
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What You'll Learn
Co-sleeping is not illegal in Australia
Co-sleeping, or sharing a sleep surface with a baby, is not illegal in Australia. However, it is not recommended by organisations such as Red Nose Australia due to safety concerns. Co-sleeping can be associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.
If parents choose to co-sleep, it is important to take precautions to reduce the risks. For example, creating a safe sleep environment by using a firm mattress on the floor, away from walls and other furniture, and ensuring the baby's head and face remain uncovered and clear of any bedding or pillows. It is also recommended to avoid co-sleeping if the parent or their partner smokes, consumes alcohol or drugs, or is extremely tired or unwell.
Cultural norms and practices influence attitudes towards co-sleeping, with many Eastern and tropical countries considering it a normal and accepted practice. In Western countries like Australia, however, co-sleeping is often viewed with more caution due to individualistic and work-centric cultural values.
Despite the controversy surrounding co-sleeping in Australia, some research and medical professionals suggest that it is possible to co-sleep safely with the right information and precautions. Co-sleeping can have benefits such as facilitating breastfeeding, enhancing the baby's sense of security, and improving parental sleep. Ultimately, the decision to co-sleep should be made by each family, considering their unique circumstances and the available safety guidelines.
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Co-sleeping is common in other countries
While co-sleeping is not illegal in Australia, it is not recommended by organisations such as Red Nose Australia. However, co-sleeping is a common practice in many countries.
In southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, mothers and babies routinely share sleep. In many cultures, co-sleeping is the norm until children are weaned, and some continue long after. In Japan, parents or grandparents often sleep in proximity with their children until they are teenagers. This arrangement is referred to as a river, with the mother and father as separate banks and the child sleeping between them as the water. Hong Kong has one of the lowest occurrences of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the world, and co-sleeping is extremely common there.
In tropical countries in Asia and Africa, bedding is often firmer and there are fewer pillows and duvets. In Latin America, the Philippines, and Vietnam, some parents sleep with their baby in a hammock next to the bed, or in a wicker basket in the bed, between the two parents. In Japan, parents may sleep next to their baby on bamboo or straw mats, or on futons.
In Sweden, co-sleeping is also the cultural norm. Swedish parents believe that an infant's autonomy and security are enhanced by co-sleeping, and that it will help their children be more secure and independent in the future. A study found that 72% of the families in their sample co-slept with their children. Similarly, in Egypt, sleeping is viewed as a form of social behaviour, and researchers found that 69% of families in their sample bed-shared with 1-4 people.
In India, co-sleeping is also common, and layered but not thick covers are used to keep the baby warm without increasing the risk of suffocation.
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Co-sleeping risks and safety advice
Co-sleeping, or bedsharing, is when babies sleep on the same surface as another person, such as a parent or sibling. While co-sleeping can be beneficial for breastfeeding and bonding, it is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. However, there are ways to reduce these risks and make co-sleeping safer.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the baby can breathe easily by keeping their airways open. This means sleeping them on their back and keeping their head and face uncovered, with no hats, hoods, or loose bedding that could obstruct their breathing. It is also crucial to maintain a smoke-free environment, as exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke increases the risk of SUDI.
Additionally, it is recommended to use a firm, flat, and level mattress, free from soft bedding, pillows, and toys that could pose a suffocation risk. The sleep space should be large enough for everyone, with a clear area around the baby to prevent them from getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or bed frame. It is also advised to keep the baby away from the edge of the bed and not in the middle between two adults, reducing the risk of overheating and accidental covering of the baby's head.
Other safety considerations include avoiding co-sleeping if either parent has been smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs or medications that cause heavy sleep. It is also important to avoid co-sleeping if the baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight, as they may be more vulnerable. Sleeping with a baby on a couch or chair is particularly unsafe and should be avoided, as it can obstruct the baby's airways.
While co-sleeping has risks, it is a common practice in many parts of the world, and some parents find it beneficial for breastfeeding and bonding. If you choose to co-sleep, it is essential to be informed about the risks and take appropriate safety measures to create a safe sleep environment for your baby.
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Co-sleeping and breastfeeding
Co-sleeping is a controversial topic in Australia and many other Western countries. It is not illegal, but it is recommended that babies sleep in their own safe sleeping space next to the parent's bed for the first 6 to 12 months of life. However, many parents choose to co-sleep or end up doing so unintentionally.
Breastfeeding and co-sleeping can support each other. Co-sleeping is convenient for night feeding, and breastfeeding mothers who co-sleep tend to breastfeed longer and keep exclusively breastfeeding for longer than those who do not co-sleep. Mothers who co-sleep are also highly responsive to their baby's needs and tend to wake more during the night, which may protect against sudden unexpected infant deaths.
However, co-sleeping can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in certain circumstances. For example, if the mother or father smokes or if the mother smoked during pregnancy, the risk of SIDS increases, no matter where the baby sleeps. Other risk factors include alcohol consumption, illegal or sleep-inducing drug use, extreme tiredness, and co-sleeping with other children or pets.
To reduce the risks of co-sleeping, it is recommended that parents follow safe sleeping practices, such as placing the baby on their back to sleep, keeping the baby's head and face uncovered, and using a safe sleeping bag without a hood. It is also important to ensure that the baby cannot fall out of bed and that they are not left unattended on the sleep surface.
In Australia, there are laws in place to protect the rights of breastfeeding women and prohibit discrimination against them in areas such as employment, education, access to places and vehicles, provision of goods, services, and facilities. These laws include the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and state and territory laws.
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Co-sleeping and cultural norms
Co-sleeping, or sharing a sleep surface with a baby, is a topic of discussion among parents, healthcare providers, and sleep experts, especially in Western countries. While it is a common practice in many parts of the world, it is met with varying levels of acceptance and recommendation across different cultures and countries.
In Western countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, co-sleeping is often not recommended by healthcare professionals and is sometimes even frowned upon. This is partly due to concerns about the increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), for example, recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months after birth. The individualistic and work-centric nature of American culture, influenced by capitalism, also contributes to the preference for infant solitary sleep, as it is seen as a form of "independence training."
In contrast, co-sleeping is a cultural norm in many Asian and African countries, including India, the Philippines, Japan, and Sweden. In these countries, the focus is often on collectivism, interdependence, and the importance of the mother-child bond. For example, in Japan, co-sleeping is considered normal, and Japanese mothers have reported that they view sleeping alone as "merciless in forcing independence on infants." Similarly, in India, co-sleeping is common during the winter months to prevent newborns from getting hypothermia. The availability of affordable help, such as specialist newborn baby nurses, and the reliance on the wisdom of family elders also contribute to the acceptance of co-sleeping in these cultures.
Additionally, cultural differences in bedding and sleeping arrangements play a role in the acceptance of co-sleeping. For instance, mattresses in the United States tend to be soft and elevated, which can be unsafe for co-sleeping. In contrast, mattresses in Japan and Sweden are typically firm, flat, and close to the ground, making them safer for babies.
While co-sleeping may be influenced by cultural norms and values, it is important to prioritize the safety of the baby. Regardless of cultural practices, it is crucial to create a safe sleep environment for infants, minimizing the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and other sleep-related accidents.
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Frequently asked questions
No, co-sleeping is not illegal in Australia. However, some organisations do not recommend it due to the risk of sudden infant death and other sleep accidents.
Co-sleeping can increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and overheating. It is also possible for parents to roll over onto their baby, or for the baby to get trapped between the bed and the wall.
Co-sleeping is not recommended if you or your partner smoke, take drugs or medications that make you sleepy, or if your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Sleeping with a baby on a couch or chair is always unsafe.
