Co-sleeping Safety Products for Your Baby

Co-sleeping refers to the practice of sharing the bed with your baby while sleeping. Though quite controversial in the Western culture, it is a norm in most countries around the world. This practice was widespread till the last century, but with the advent of the crib, and the notion that kids should sleep independently in a room of their own, co-sleeping took a backseat. A lot of parents and even medical professionals are not comfortable with the idea of co-sleeping, but this concept is slowly changing, with parents opting to co-sleep with their infant. There are various safety products for the baby available nowadays, which facilitate co-sleeping. Let us take a look at some of them.



Co-sleeping Safety Products for Your Baby



Bassinets

Bassinets, with barriers on three sides, and the fourth side open, which can be attached to the parent's bed facilitate co-sleeping. This is ideal since the baby is right next to you, but in a separate little bed for itself. One of the best and most popular bassinet of this sort is the 'Arm's Reach Co-sleeper'. It comes in many sizes, and you can pick one depending on your choice, and the size of your room and bed. The 'Arm's Reach Original' can even hold twins, and can store toys and also convert to a stand-alone bassinet. The 'Arm's Reach Mini' and 'Arm's Reach Euro-Mini' are smaller versions, and suitable for a smaller bedroom. The 'Arm's Reach Clear-Vue' bassinet is unique in a way that it allows you to see your baby at all times. The 'Arm's Reach Sleigh Bed' is another bassinet you can use. Made from wood, it is very sturdy, and is more suitable for beds with heights of 18-24 inches.



Bed Top Infant Enclosures

These co-sleeping products can be placed directly on your bed, and are equipped with side barriers, which ensure the baby does not roll off into the adult bed. Parents who want to co-sleep with the baby in their bed can try the 'First Years Close and Secure Sleeper', which can be secured to the adult bed with a flap. It is portable and can be easily folded.



Another bed top product is the 'Baby Delight Snuggle Nest'. It's suitable for premature babies as well. It has sturdy barriers, which prevent adult bedding from disturbing your baby's sleep. Another infant enclosure available is the 'Summer Infant Rest Assured Sleeper'. It has mesh barriers, which allow for better air circulation and parents to view their sleeping infant at all times.



Bolsters

The 'Humanity Family Bed Co-sleeper' from Bean Products is a large bolster that can be placed on to the bed, and along with promoting co-sleeping, prevents babies from rolling off on to the floor. Being heavy, it's better than the regular pillows, as it does not shift or move around on the bed.



Advantages of Co-sleeping

• Co-sleeping gives working mothers extra time with their babies, fostering the mother-child bonding. It also allows mothers to attend to their babies' needs quickly. Mothers do not need to get up and fetch the baby for night-time feedings, which saves time and breastfeeding can go on for longer duration. This helps to synchronize the mother and baby's sleep cycle.
• Babies nestled close to their mothers fall asleep faster, stay asleep for longer duration and get more sleep, which in turn means that the parents also get more hours of uninterrupted sleep.
• Co-sleeping advocates believe that babies who co-slept had higher self-esteem, and were more confident. They also say that parents used to co-sleeping are so aware of the baby's presence next to them in the bed, that they will not roll over or hurt the baby in any way.

Disadvantages of Co-sleeping

• If you are not used to co-sleeping with your baby, it will be some time before you can adjust to a squirming, kicking, and crying infant sharing your bed.
• Once the baby gets used to co-sleeping, transitioning him or her to the crib can be a lengthy process.
• Some parents feel co-sleeping can affect their love life. Having a sleeping baby between you and your partner is not the perfect idea of romance!

Safety Concerns Associated with Co-sleeping

• When you co-sleep, sleep facing the baby. Chances of the baby falling down are thus, greatly reduced.
• Never co-sleep with pets or toddlers.
• Parents who smoke, or are under the influence of drugs and heavy medications, or are heavy drinkers should never co-sleep with their infant.
• Never use a couch or a water bed when co-sleeping. Use a firm mattress.
• Covering the baby with heavy blankets can lead to overheating. Use lightweight, fleece blankets or soft sheets, which are enough to keep the baby warm and cozy.

Co-sleeping is purely a personal choice. Do not get influenced by what other people have to say in this regard. Keep yours and your infant's needs in mind when deciding whether to co-sleep or not. What bedtime arrangements work best for you is something you have to work on. Weigh the personal benefits against the safety issues, and then make up your mind.

How to Prepare for College Application Process

So you are in high school, and the prospect of going to college can seem thrilling, as well as nerve-racking. You have waited for the day when you can finally move out and start living independently. But with this excitement, comes a whole bunch of responsibilities. Firstly, there's the enormous task of filling out and submitting the college application forms, which may leave you pondering where to look for guidance. Let's make things easier by listing out some helpful tips that will prepare you for the college application process.

Choice of Colleges

You need to make a list of colleges you will be applying to. This may seem baffling at first, as there may be several colleges which offer the courses you want to pursue. Keep things simple by narrowing the list to five or six "most probable" colleges. Bear in mind that every college application will cost you an application fee, which is nonrefundable. Take help from your parents, and also from your friends who are already in college and will guide you in the right direction, or even your school counselor who is probably the most conversant about your academic records.

College Admissions

Try to complete the college application process latest by November or December. Before you mail the application, make copies of every single application for your records. If you need financial assistance, contact the college office and ask for any forms or other paperwork they may require. A month after you mailed out the applications, contact the colleges once to verify they have actually received your application forms. Typically, colleges announce admission decisions by March or April. Go through the list of colleges you had applied to, and arrive at a decision. Fill out the enrollment form of the college of your choice, and mail it to them along with the deposit check. The deadline for most colleges to receive the forms is May 1st. Inform all the other colleges who accepted your application form that you will not be attending them, so you free up the seat for another deserving candidate. If the college of your choice puts you on their waiting list, contact them and notify them that you are still very much keen on joining them. You can mail them your latest semester grades.