Safety of chest to chest sleeping newborn practices should be learned by parents ahead of time. Since it’s quite common to feel the urge of holding your little ones not only in your arms but placing them on the chest from time to time.
It’s hard to resist having them by your chest especially as it brings comfort not only for your baby but . Knowing what is considerably safe and what’s not ensures your baby is safe at all times, especially when sleeping.
A comfortable newborn sleep is linked closely to their safety, proper breathing and brain development. Along with tools like a baby wrap carrier you’ll be able to keep them at close safe distance. In this article we’ll learn all about the reasons why chest to chest sleeping feels the most appealing, the risks that surrounds the practice and the safest alternative considering both the baby and the parent.
Understanding the Appeal of Chest-to-Chest Sleeping
The chest to chest newborn holding can be appealing for a lot of reasons like warmth, emotional security and regulation of breathing and heart rate for babies that it provides. In this position, babies can easily hear your heartbeat, feel those gentle movements, and recognize how you smell like. All these replicates the feeling that they have inside the womb.
Many parents note of babies usually fall asleep way faster whenever they are placed on their chest. This closeness can ease the crying, strengthen the bond, and decrease the stress hormones. This also makes chest to chest sleeping newborn practices enticing for nap times or nighttime sleeping.
Recognizing the Risks of Co-Sleeping and Unsafe Surfaces
Chest to chest sleeping gives you a lot of benefits especially emotionally. Doing this while the parent is also asleep comes along with huge and critical risks. Falling asleep on sofas, adult beds, recliners, and other soft surfaces can highly increase chances of suffocation, accidental rolling, and airway obstruction.
A baby wrap carrier can also help with holding the baby in an upright position while relaxing. Although it’s pretty much a helpful tool when parents are awake, it can be concerning when the caregiver fell asleep while using one. Possibilities are that your baby’s airways become blocked if their chin presses into their chest or the fabric.
Having an understanding of the risks that’s tied to chest to chest sleeping newborn arrangements can help prevent any tragic accidents which we do not want to happen.
The “Safe Sleep 7” and Mitigating Risk for Breastfeeding Parents
Given the number of accidents that are related to bed-sharing of babies or chest to chest sleeping newborn with parents, the Safe Sleep 7 guidelines is established. These guidelines include the parent being sober, smoke-free, firm mattress, no loose blankets or pillows and tips on side-lying breastfeeding positions.
Although there are these precautions, placing a baby directly on the chest while an adult is sleeping is very much considered higher risk. Pediatric organizations consistently urges that babies should sleep flat on their backs in a separate space whenever possible.
Recommended Alternatives: Skin-to-Skin While Awake
Numerous research shows how skin-to-skin contact can be extremely beneficial for newborns, but it should be done while you’re fully awake, alert and not feeling sleepy at all. If in case you feel sleepy it’s best to lay the baby down as well for you to be able to rest without the fear of something bad happening. Doing this from time to time can help with your breastfeeding, regulation of your baby’s temperature, building that bond, and providing them the necessary emotional security.
You can easily enjoy these benefits while feeding, cuddling, or soothing sessions, then you can place them to their space once asleep. This practice offers all the emotional benefits without the hazards that are tied to the chest to chest sleeping newborn overnight routines.
Establishing a Safe Sleep Space in a Separate Crib or Bassinet
The safety of your child will always be the top concern of a parent, from feeding sessions, tummy time, and the proper way of sleeping, it’s always their comfort and safety that goes first.
Keeping your little ones on their back is the safest known position for newborn babies. Also make sure that they’re on an empty crib or bassinet with a firm mattress to avoid any unwanted accidents or them burying their heads unto pillows or those loose blankets.
Room-sharing with your little ones, not bed-sharing, can also reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Room-sharing also makes way for providing comfort and feeding as well.
Keep their sleeping area clear of sleep positioners, or stuffed toys. Following through these guidelines can highly decrease the risks that are linked to chest to chest sleeping newborn habits.
When to Transition the Newborn Away from the Chest
What’s really ideal is that your baby have a designated and own sleeping spaces from the very beginning. But if your baby is used to sleeping on your chest, a gentle transition to their bassinet once they’re in deep sleep is necessary not only for you to get your needed sleep but for their safety as well. It’s also a practice of healthy sleeping habits and helping them to gently transition into sleeping more on their own.
Best Practices for Supervising Chest-to-Chest Contact
If you’re used to the chest to chest sleeping newborn positions, there are safety tips that you can follow through:
-
Sit upright in a firm chair
-
Remain fully alert and awake
-
Avoid blankets that could cover your baby’s face
-
Make sure that your baby’s face is always visible and the airway is clear
-
Place your baby back into their own sleeping space once you feel sleepy
Observing these measures help reduce the risks when you’re doing the chest to chest sleeping newborn practices.
Consulting Your Pediatrician on Safe Sleep Decisions
Every baby is unique on their own, their needs are different, their preferences and all other things, so it’s best to have a conversation with your pediatrician for a personalized guide. Especially if you’re struggling with your nighttime routine, breastfeeding, or frequent wakings at night. You can always inquire with your doctor of the best ways to keep your little ones safe and meet with their needs.
Conclusion
Being able to hold your little one chest to chest is a beautiful way of nurturing your bond, but this way of sleeping is tied to serious risks. Being knowledgeable of the safe alternatives help you to enjoy this closeness while being able to ensure that your baby’s life is well protected.
When you’re prioritizing safety, your baby can grow, rest and thrive in an environment and practices that keeps them safe, giving you peace of mind and helping you avoid the dangers that are linked to chest to chest sleeping newborn practices.
