No room for a nursery? No problem. In today’s times, when saving space means saving money, there is a viable option: sharing the same bed with your new addition. In many Asian families even today, newborns share the same bed as their parents. Plus, single parents save money and forgo the crib idea. Even a single mom I know who has a crib simply prefers your two-year-old to sleep in the same bed for company. Plus, co-sleeping can lead to a treasure trove of family time, as an art educator I know shared that she grew up as 1 of 3 kids in the same bed as mom and dad while dad read bedtime stories aloud. before everyone went to bed. . Only you will know what is best for your situation.
If you decide to sleep together, follow these 5 S’s. Not only will you have a great space and money saving situation. You’ll also draw on ancient feng shui principles to maximize energy flow and efficiency, gain practical insights detailed in the checklist below, and indeed have the happiest baby and family on the block!
1. MONITOR the room or area that you designate for sleeping.
~Where is the door?
~Where is the window?
~Where are the air conditioning and heating vents?
~Where are the electrical outlets?
~Where are the plug-in electronics?
ACTION: Baby feng shui is all about protection. Do your best to keep baby (and her bed) as far away from all of the above features as possible.
2.Create SURE SPACE for you, your baby and your partner.
~What is the most protected position in bed?
~Who tends to be hot or cold during sleep?
~Who can take better care of the baby?
ACTION: Feng shui is all about convenience, also known as the ease of energy flow. In general, the center of the bed is the most protected position for babies. This way, both parents can care for the baby for diaper changes and feedings. Make sure baby lies on her back and has her own blanket. Create rolled towels as barriers between you and the baby so the baby doesn’t get crushed. Employ the use of naturally breathable sheets to prevent lint from forming. Place the person who tends to get hot closest to the door. Make sure the changing table is closest to the person who has the night shift for diaper changes and feedings.
3. Improve the quality of your SLEEP.
~Who is a light or heavy sleeper?
ACTION: Feng shui is about restful sleep. If you are a light sleeper, please use earplugs. If you are a heavy sleeper, place the baby closer to you than to her partner. The cries of the baby will wake you up in time for your night shift.
4. Employ the use of SILENCE.
~Do you usually talk or sing to your baby to calm him down when he wakes up during the night?
ACTION: The feng shui energy at night is supposed to be as still and quiet as possible, as energy also has its cycles. Stop talking or singing to your baby when she wakes up during the night. This will help put your baby back to sleep very quickly. If the baby finds it difficult to go back to bed, hold him and pat him on the back. if this still doesn’t work, then get out of bed to continue cuddling and walk around. Then put him back on the bed.
5. Most importantly, CHANGE above!
~ Do you always sleep on one side of the bed?
~Does the baby tend to turn to the side, to be rocked or to feed efficiently from one side?
~Does the baby’s neck tend to lean at an angle when sitting, lying down or standing?
ACTION: Feng shui is about energy balance, which can be reflected through our muscles. If imbalances develop, it may be that the baby has become too used to turning to one side during the night. So be sure to change it so you, your baby, and her partner don’t develop chronic muscle and energy imbalances.
Enjoy the benefits and let me know how these tips work for you!
