What is co-sleeping? What are its benefits?

¿Qué es el colecho? ¿Cuáles son sus beneficios? Petite Marmotte

Co-sleeping with newborns is common among many parents. In this post, we want to tell you what co-sleeping is and what its benefits are when practicing it.

There are many questions about co-sleeping and it is a very personal choice; what works for each family is different. Today we bring you the answers and tips for safe co-sleeping with your babies. Furthermore, at Petite Marmotte, we work for the rest of little ones, which is why our nests are perfect for co-sleeping and ensuring everyone gets a great rest.

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What is co-sleeping?

How many first-time (or not-so-first-time) parents have wondered whether or not to co-sleep with their newborn babies? Before making a decision, it's important to understand what co-sleeping means. So, what is co-sleeping? Co-sleeping with babies primarily involves sleeping with the baby, either in the parents' bed or in a co-sleeper crib next to it.

Sleeping with a baby and co-sleeping has been practiced for many years and is very common in many parts of the world, but it has only recently become fashionable.

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What are the benefits of co-sleeping?

There are many opinions and advice we hear about co-sleeping with little ones, as there has always been a debate about whether it is safe to practice it or not.

From our experience, we're going to tell you about the benefits of co-sleeping, one by one:

1. It improves breastfeeding, especially at night. You don't even have to get out of bed, which promotes the mother's rest.

2. Reduces the baby's crying, its duration and frequency. You can attend to them quickly.

3. The little one tends to fall asleep more easily; they feel you close and hear your breathing, which calms them down.

4. Parents' and little ones' sleep synchronizes.

5. It strengthens the bond between babies and parents.

6. It promotes their neuronal development and responsiveness.

As you can see, there are several advantages and benefits to co-sleeping. However, we must always do it safely, as there are certain situations where co-sleeping is not recommended: if one of the parents is a smoker, consumes alcohol or sedative drugs, it is best not to practice it. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid overly soft surfaces, as babies should sleep on a firm mattress.

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Therefore, we always recommend our co-sleeping nest cot to ensure safe co-sleeping. You can place it both inside the parents' bed and in a cot next to it. This way, the baby will sleep close to you, but in a place designed exclusively for their safety and rest.

Our co-sleeping nest cots are compatible with most co-sleeping cots on the market, such as those from Cotinfant, Chicco Next2me, Micuna, and even Ikea cots.

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What makes a co-sleeping nest cot safe?

We are often asked if our co-sleeping nest cot is safe for your babies to sleep in. The truth is, not all nests are the same, and therefore, not all are safe. These are some of the characteristics that nests should meet for safe co-sleeping:

🍃Breathable materials: That allow air to circulate easily.
🧱Firm surface: It is recommended that the surface where babies sleep be firm, as sleeping on a soft surface could pose a risk of suffocation.
🆓Ample design: That there is enough space for the baby to turn over and be able to turn back again without problem.
☁️Organic fabrics: Respectful of the baby's skin.
⚠️Certifications: Also look for quality seals and certifications on mattresses and other materials used.
🫧Hygiene: The nest should be removable and washable to ensure proper hygiene.

Furthermore, the side panels of our nest have been tested and are the perfect height to place the nest cot in the bed between parents and ensure that the baby will not be crushed.

In addition, to ensure that no blanket or sheet falls on the baby's head (with the associated risk), we always recommend covering them with our sleeping bags. You have two options: the 4-season sleeping bags

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Or the sleeping bags, which keep the baby warm and ensure they don't uncover themselves. Plus, thanks to their front zipper, it's very easy to change their diaper.

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How long can you co-sleep?

Many of the questions we receive at Petite Marmotte about co-sleeping concern its duration. In reality, there is no basic rule or guideline for co-sleeping that explains how long you can sleep with your baby.

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There is also no age at which it is necessary to stop co-sleeping with your children. Enjoy this stage and don't think about the timing!

Did you like this post? We recommend our post about: co-sleeping nest reviews Don't miss it!

Discover the new patterns in co-sleeping nests!

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¿Qué es el colecho? ¿Cuáles son sus beneficios?

DO YOU HAVE A NEST BUT WANT TO CHANGE THE STYLE?

The nests are completely removable and washing machine safe, so we have replacement covers to keep the baby always impeccable and also allow you to change the style of the nest whenever you want.