Dear Folks:
    Last night I taught an infant care class at a local birthing center.
Co-sleeping was a topic, among other things. One  first-time father-to-be
brought up an interesting question about co-sleeping. He had been reading
lots about it, and wondered how to do it. Does one need to rearrange the
bed-clothes?  Get different bed-clothes? Reduce the number of pillows? Where
does the baby go? Does one need a night-light? We talk about safe co-sleeping
(no waterbed, no sofa, make sure bed frame is protected) but what about the
other details if one has never seen it?
    So we had a discussion. I had never considered his question before, and
shared my own experiences which were just to bring the baby to the bed. No
special arrangements, no different bed-clothes.  After a few weeks, I didn't
need a night light on as the nipple/areola is warmer than the surrounding
skin and baby is a heat-seeking creature. We talked about moving bed next to
a wall, or putting the back of a chair next to the bed if baby will be on the
side of the bed instead of the middle, although baby will most likely snuggle
close with mom.  Maybe dress baby only in a diaper if there is a big down
comforter.
    Any other suggestions?
    Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CSTP, CIMI
Elkins Park (a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  northeastern USA)

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