Co-sleeping and family beds: considerations for parents
6 Min. Lesezeit
Most families who sleep together do it because it feels right — easier night feeds, more calm, fewer trips back and forth. The following is a summary of general considerations frequently discussed in public guidance. It is provided for general information and does not constitute a statement that Co-sleeping.com is tested, certified or approved as an infant sleep product.
Start with one firm, continuous surface
The most common risk with a home-made family bed isn't the bed itself — it's the gap. Push two mattresses together and you get a crack and a cold bridge down the middle, where a child can roll down or get stuck. One full-width mattress removes that gap entirely. The surface should also be firm and flat: a soft or sagging mattress gives poor support and isn't recommended for the youngest.
Close the gaps along the edge
Check that the mattress meets the frame and wall snugly, with no holes where an arm, leg or head could get trapped. A tight fitted sheet that can't shift belongs to this too — loose sheets and blankets are among the things to watch most closely around infants.
Bed height: floor bed or continental
For families who prefer a lower sleeping height, the floor-bed model reduces the distance from the sleeping surface to the floor. The taller continental bed is practical and kind to your back getting in and out. Many families start low and build up as needs change.
- Floor bed: lower sleeping height, no legs
- Continental bed: taller and easy to get in and out of
- Both models: one continuous surface in your chosen width
Bedding, warmth and space
Around an infant, keep bedding light: no heavy duvets, pillows or loose blankets right next to the child, and a comfortable, not-too-warm sleeping temperature. Make sure there's simply enough room, too — a family bed should be wide enough for everyone to lie flat without crowding. Our rule of thumb is about 90 cm per adult and 60 cm per child.
About the Co-sleeping.com bed
We build every Co-sleeping.com bed as one continuous surface in exactly the width you choose — from 140 to 400 cm — so there's neither a crack down the middle nor too little room. The pocket springs give a firm, flat base, and the floor-bed model sits low. It's not a substitute for common sense and official guidance, but a practical option for families who want a larger, continuous sleeping surface.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Always follow current safe-sleep guidance from your health authority (such as The Lullaby Trust), and speak to your health visitor if in doubt.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
- Does Co-sleeping.com certify a particular co-sleeping arrangement as safe?
- No. Co-sleeping.com provides a large family bed but does not certify, approve or recommend a specific sleeping arrangement for infants. The bed is not an infant sleep product. Parents and caregivers remain responsible for how it is used and should follow current guidance applicable to their individual circumstances.
Bereit, euer Bett zu finden?
Baut ein Familienbett in genau eurer Breite — von 140 bis 400 cm, mit 100 Nächten Probeschlafen.