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Another active post has made me think - there is so much material on SIDS and not co- sleeping - where can you find safe co - sleeping guidelines.... ies is there anything extra you need to do?
I used to co sleep with DD and found that i simply did not move during my sleep - we sould wake in the exact same position. But I didnt do anything other than take her in with me.....
When I first started co-sleeping with Aurelia, I'd get really sore because I wouldn't turn during the night and one side of my hair would get matted! Now when I turn over, I actually scoop her up and put her on the other side. It sounds annoying but you get used to it, actually. Aurelia doesn't mind at all.
I found these safe co-sleeping guidelines on a trustworthy but . . . I don't know, unenlightened parenting website;
• Do not give your baby a pillow, and ensure that his head is not covered by the duvet or the sheets. Either of these could smother him.
• Avoid sleeping on a waterbed or any bed that does not have a firm mattress.
• Use bedding which fits tightly to the mattress.
• Ensure the bed head and bed sides are close against the wall and the mattress close to the bed frame so that there is no risk of your baby rolling over and becoming trapped.
• Put your baby to sleep on his back.
SIDS Australia (I couldn't find their website) also recommends that baby has his/her own set of sheets rather than using yours. Personally I think that's OTT though. You shouldn't co-sleep with your baby (according to SIDS Aus) if you smoke, have been drinking, taking drugs, or medication that makes you drowsy. Being obese is a risk factor as well because one may not be as sensitive to touch and also might fall into a deeper or more fitful sleep.
Dr Sears Nighttime Parenting book is great - also he has articles here:
CO-SLEEPING: YES, NO, SOMETIMES?
:-)