Co-sleeping

Co-sleeping also known as the family bed may seem like a new phenomena in the United States...

...when actually it goes back to the beginning of time.

But what is it?

Is it safe?

Your questions will be answered. Along with answers, you will be presented with the latest research on this topic - posted on December 21, 2008!

Co-sleeping in the United States

It is true that most parents fill entire nurseries with baby furniture with the best of intentions. Some believe that their newborn baby will sleep his infancy away...

...in his own bed...and in his own room.

The reality often turns out to be that your new baby - over 50% - will end up in bed with you! And you may be surprised to find out that for some parents - like us - it's just the way we like it and dare we say...

...plan it.

Many parents do plan to have a "family bed" with their children - as a personal preference. Though the term co-sleeping may be new, the practice is not. It remains a normal practice in many places throughout the world and for some even right here in the good old USA.

You would think that sleeping with your baby would be your choice and that it would be the end of the story. However, the family bed has actually sparked many heated debates.

The Co-Sleeping Debate

The obsession of some with the family bed debate is easily explained by our - well meaning - cultural fixation with independence and personal self-fulfillment, coupled with a desire to raise well adjusted children.

Busy schedules, big houses, and nay-saying experts interfere with what many consider a time-honored, time-tested, "normal" way of life. Sadly, our culture has come to accept that - in general - a baby belongs in a crib or bassinet, not only for her best interest, but also for the parents'.

Danger of Co-Sleeping?

Two powerful organizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics - AAP - and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - CPSC - have issued statements discouraging co-sleeping.

Maybe crib sales are down.

All kidding aside, they believe that adult beds are no place for infants due to two major dangers:

strangulation

and suffocation.

They cite a report which states that from January 1999 to December 2001, more than 100 children under two died while sleeping in adult beds, although co-sleeping does not account for cause of death.

Did you notice that opponents of the family bed used a study which has nothing to do with the topic since the cause of death was not co-sleeping?

Nevertheless, for those fearful of co-sleeping, the risks are many:

Waterbeds, soft mattresses and blankets can potentially suffocate an infant, as well as the possibility of becoming wedged between a mattress and a wall or headboard.

Adults or other children in the bed could possibly roll over and suffocate the infant.

Finally, strangulation is a risk from slipping through a footboard or headboard.

Although many opponents claim that co-sleeping increases SIDS, there have been no conclusive studies to show even a slight increased risk. Actually, the data proves just the opposite.

Many opponents believe that, emotionally, co-sleeping is detrimental to the child. Again we will show proof to the contrary. Read on.

Opponents believe that a child who becomes accustomed to sleeping with a parent will become clingy and needy and will not transition well to a regular bed. Neuroscience disproves this theory as hogwash.

Another logical conclusion is that a child who falls asleep by his parent's side will have a hard time falling asleep on his own later on. Again...hogwash!

Sleeping With Your Baby Safety Precautions

If you make the decision to bring your baby into bed for co-sleeping, there are indeed some safety precautions to take. Most importantly, make sure that you and your spouse are in agreement in order to avoid issues down the road.

These precautions are - in our opinion - just plain old common sense:

Neither parent should be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, whether prescription or otherwise.

Smoking - under no circumstances should your baby be exposed to second hand smoke at any time.

Bedding should be firm and lightweight, and pillows should be kept away from your baby.

A king-sized bed is preferable - but certainly not necessary on our opinion, albeit a nice luxury, as it gives the occupants room to breathe.

Keep other children out of the bed, because they will not be conscious of the baby as mothers and fathers tend to be, even while asleep.

Keep the bed warm, but not hot.

Check out your headboard and footboard to see if there are any potential areas of danger.

And never have an infant sleep in a waterbed.

Transitioning Out Of The Family Bed

Most medical experts - but not all - say the safest place to put an infant to sleep is in a crib that meets current standards and has no soft bedding.

We disagree.

If you've been co-sleeping with your little one, "experts" say that transitioning to the crib by 6 months is usually easier - for both parents and baby. They say the transition should occur before the co-sleeping habit is ingrained and other developmental issues - such as separation anxiety - come into play.

We - again - disagree.

The Other Side of the Debate

On the other hand, the advocates of the family bed believe that the benefits of co-sleeping are significant.

The most obvious is the bonding

Breastfeeding is more convenient. You do not have to leave the bed to feed the baby, allowing her and you to remain in a state of semi-sleep.

It also synchronizes the mother's and baby's sleep cycles. Babies fall asleep more readily, and both mother and baby get more total sleep overall.

A major advocate and supporter of attachment parenting is well respected pediatrician Dr. William Sears.

Supporters also cite studies claiming that:

Children who are products of co-sleeping homes have higher self esteem,

They are more positive as children,

They have higher rates of a general sense of satisfaction with life.

Studies have shown that mothers and babies fall into a face to face sleeping position, which can stimulate your baby, helping her to regulate her immature nervous system. This is believed to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - SIDS - because the carbon dioxide a mother breathes out in exhaled air can be a respiratory stimulant to her baby.

The Latest Research

We present you the latest research from Dr. James J. McKenna from the University of Notre Dame.

Of course, where your child sleeps - whether it's in your bed or a crib - is a personal decision. We hope the latest research will help you in making an informed decision.

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