Snuggle Time:

How to Make Co-Sleeping Comfortable for the Whole Family

Co-sleeping, or bedsharing, has become a popular topic in many holistic parenting publications and websites with much written about its safety and benefits. As a chiropractor and new mom, I am particularly interested in the proper ergonomics of co-sleeping. Moms are often so concerned with getting their babes to sleep that their own comfort isn't high on the list of priorities.

Chiropractors working with parents who co-sleep hear about a wide range of complaints on a regular basis: neck pain, headaches, lower back pain, and even numbness in the hands due to challenges with proper body positioning throughout the night. I figured that the best way to get the scoop on what helps make the entire family comfortable with sharing a bed is to ask one of my chiropractic colleagues who has a lot of experience with co-sleeping.

Dr. Renee Andino is a practicing chiropractor and mom of two boys, ages six and eight, who offers valuable insight on the topic from both a professional and personal standpoint.

Question: What can expectant parents do to prepare for co-sleeping?

Answer: Invest in a larger bed if you are able to. This may seem obvious, but nobody is comfortable if there isn't enough room. We went from a queen-sized bed to a king shortly after our first child came along. This also solved all of our "blanket issues" – everybody had their fair share of blankets and I also didn't have to worry about the baby's face being covered as there was enough space for everybody.

Question: Did you run into any challenges with co-sleeping?

Answer: My first child loved to sleep with us and it worked out quite well. I expected it to be the same with our second (baby), but things didn't work out that way. I can't explain why, but he just didn't like it. He would grunt and make fairly loud noises all night, and he didn't seem comfortable at all. Things went much better when we moved him into his own room at an early age. He seemed more at ease having his own space and slept a lot better. I felt guilty at the time and wondered if it would have a negative impact on our bonding. I am happy to say that he is now a well-adjusted six-year-old and he loves to snuggle.

Question: Do you have any tips for co-sleeping with a newborn?

Answer: I sat up in bed to nurse during the night when my babies were really young, for the first four-six weeks. I used pillows to prop myself up in a seated position and used another pillow to support my arms. I found that once the baby latched on, I could lean back and relax. A lot of neck and shoulder problems start because proper positioning is not adopted right from the beginning.

Question: What did you do to ensure your own comfort and proper positioning once your baby was past the age of six weeks?

Answer: I used a large body pillow, the type that a lot of pregnant women use, in a side-lying position. I propped part of the pillow up behind me and the other part went between my knees. Being able to lean on the pillow allowed me to relax while lying on my side. That was a huge help as all my shoulder, neck and core muscles could relax. This actually allowed me to sleep a lot better. Bringing the pillow between my knees helped to keep my pelvis neutral, which can help prevent lower back pain and is important in maintaining spinal health.

Question: What advice would you offer new parents who are considering co-sleeping?

Answer: I would say that it is good to experiment with different techniques and see what works for you. Co-sleeping is meant to be an enjoyable experience for parents and babies. If it isn't working, try to fine-tune your routine. And if things don't work out with co-sleeping for any reason, don't feel guilty!