When you have a baby, it seems like everyone wants to hold them. Friends, family members, and even strangers all want to get their hands on your new little one. While it's certainly flattering that people are so interested in your baby, you don't always have to say yes when someone offers to hold them. In fact, there are times when it's perfectly ok to say no. If you're not comfortable with someone holding your baby, or if you just don't feel like giving them up for a while, don't be afraid to speak up!

​Here are a few times when it's ok to say no to someone holding your baby:
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• If you don't know the person well: If you're not comfortable with someone you don't know very well holding your baby, there's no shame in saying so. In fact, it's probably best to err on the side of caution in this case.
• If they're not being gentle: Newborns are fragile, and it's important that they're handled with care. If you see that someone is being too rough with your baby or not being gentle enough, it's ok to ask them to hand them back.
• If they aren't vaccinated against whooping cough : Whooping cough is a serious illness that can be deadly for newborns. If someone hasn't been vaccinated against it, they shouldn't be holding your baby until your baby has had the chance to be vaccinated.
• If they have a coldsore: Cold sores are a common and contagious infection that can be dangerous for newborns. If someone has a cold sore, they shouldn't be holding your baby.
• If you're just not feeling it: Sometimes you might not feel like giving your baby up, even to a close friend or family member. There's no shame in that! You're the only one who knows what's best for your baby, so if you don't feel comfortable with someone holding them, say no.
• If you're just not ready: Having a baby is a big adjustment, and it's normal to feel like you need some time to get used to parenthood before you're comfortable sharing your baby with others. If you're not ready to let someone else hold your baby, don't hesitate to say so!

The bottom line is that it's ok to say no to someone holding your baby if you're not comfortable with it. You know your baby best, and you should always do what feels right for both of you.

Saying no doesn't have to be rude or ungrateful. Just explain simply and straightforwardly that you're not comfortable - most people will understand - or if that feels uncomfortable, just make a polite excuse. You can always say that they're due for a feed or sleep, or say that you aren't letting anyone hold them until a certain amount of weeks or vaccinations. Remember, it's your baby and you have the right to make decisions about who holds them!
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As long as you're honest with yourself and others about why you're saying no, there's no reason to feel guilty or uncomfortable. Remember that your baby is precious and deserves the best possible care - which includes being in the arms of those who love them most. Hold your ground mama - you'll never regret loving your baby!

As a new parent we believe it is vitally important to learn safe co-sleeping practices. While most parents don't believe they will co-sleep in western cultures, it is estimated that nearly 80% of parents co-sleep at one point or another. Co-sleeping with your baby can provide many benefits to both you and bub, but it is crucial to do so safely (which is why knowing how in advance is key!). It's important to avoid high risk situations like sleeping with bub on a couch or beanbag as while co-sleeping is a risk factor for SIDS, it's the surface that you co-sleep on that really is the biggest influence on this.

he Safe Sleep 7 are seven basic rules that will help keep your baby safe while co-sleeping. By following these simple guidelines, you can rest assured that your little one is safe and sound while sharing a bed with you, helping you all to get a good night sleep.

​*Please note, co-sleeping is not safe for all families or babies and should be avoided if your baby was premature, if you are a smoker or if under the influence of drugs or alcohol.*

The first rule of the Safe Sleep Seven is to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby. This means making sure that there are no pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the bed with them. The only thing in the bed should be you and your baby. If it's cold, make sure you're wearing warm pyjamas so you don't need a blanket all the way up to your chin.

The second rule is to never co-sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. This can be extremely dangerous as babies can easily roll off of these soft surfaces and onto the floor. Always find a bed even if that means kicking your partner out!

The third rule is to always place your baby on their back to sleep. This position is the safest for babies and will help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Once baby is old enough to roll by themselves, they can of course move on to their belly or side without you worrying.

The fourth rule is to use a firm mattress when co-sleeping. A soft mattress can be dangerous for your baby, as it can increase the risk of SIDS. If your mattress is super soft, try popping a yoga mat underneath the blanket where bub will be laying to give them a firm surface.

The fifth rule is to avoid co-sleeping if you are a smoker. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of SIDS. This includes sharing with a partner who smokes as well. Bed sharing in a house with smoke simply isn't worth it.

The sixth rule is to avoid co-sleeping if you are drinking alcohol or taking medications that could make you drowsy. These substances can put your baby at risk while co-sleeping. Make sure everyone in bed with bub is sober and easy to rouse.

The seventh and final rule is to never leave your baby alone in bed with another person. This increases the chance of accidentally rolling on top of your baby, which could lead to suffocation or strangulation.

By following these safe co-sleeping practices, you can rest assured that your baby is safe and sound while sharing a bed with you. Keep these guidelines in mind and enjoy all the benefits that co-sleeping has to offer!

We believe here that co-sleeping with your baby is like teenagers having sex - rather than telling you not to do it, it's MUCH better to teach you how to do it safely!