Are you considering co-sleeping with your child but unsure if it’s the right choice for your family? Co-sleeping has been a long-standing practice in many cultures. It involves parents and children sharing the same bed or sleeping in close proximity. While some argue it strengthens the bond between parent and child, others caution against potential safety risks. It’s essential to understand both sides before making a decision on whether or not co-sleeping is right for your family.
We’ll explore ten pros and cons of co-sleeping to help you make an informed decision. First, we’ll delve into the benefits and drawbacks of sharing a bed with your little one, from improved bonding and easier breastfeeding to concerns about safety and sleep quality. We’ll also touch on practical tips for creating a safe sleeping environment, such as investing in large enough mattresses and removing potential hazards from the bed. So, let’s dive in!
Pros of Co-Sleeping
1) Bonding Time
One of the most significant benefits of co-sleeping with your child is its increased bonding opportunities. When your little one is right beside you, you have more chances to cuddle, talk and connect on a deeper level than you might during waking hours. This can be especially beneficial for working parents who may not get as much time with their children during the day.
2) Better Sleep for Everyone
While many parents worry that co-sleeping will lead to a lack of sleep for everyone involved, the truth is that it can result in better sleep for both parent and child. When your little one is beside you, you can easily monitor their breathing, temperature and well-being throughout the night. This can provide peace of mind and help you feel more relaxed, leading to better quality sleep.
3) Promotes Breastfeeding
Co-sleeping can be a great way to promote breastfeeding, especially for mothers needing to nurse throughout the night. This is great since there are many scientifically supported benefits of breastfeeding. With your baby beside you, you can quickly respond to their needs without getting up and moving around too much. This means less disruption to your sleep overall and a smoother transition back to sleep after feedings. Additionally, co-sleeping makes it easier for you to breastfeed in positions that are comfortable for both you and your baby.
4) Sense of Security
One of the biggest benefits of co-sleeping is the sense of security and comfort it can provide for both parent and child. When your little one is right beside you, they can feel safe and protected, making them more relaxed and less prone to waking up in the middle of the night. Additionally, being close to your baby can help you feel more connected to them, which can be especially important during those early months when bonding is so crucial.
5) Observing Cultural Norms
Co-sleeping with your child is a practice that has been around for centuries and is still widely embraced in many cultures worldwide. In countries such as Japan, Sweden and Egypt, co-sleeping is the norm rather than the exception. It’s seen as a way to foster closeness and connection between parent and child while also providing a sense of security and comfort for everyone involved.
Some may feel pressure to abandon these cultural norms when living in a country where co-sleeping isn’t as widely accepted, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Understanding and respecting these age-old customs allows you to experience all the benefits of co-sleeping without feeling like a fish out of water.
Cons of Co-Sleeping
6) Risk of SIDS
One of the parents’ most significant concerns regarding co-sleeping is the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Studies have shown an increased risk of SIDS for infants who sleep in the same bed as their parents, particularly if certain safety guidelines are not followed. That being said, it’s important to note that this risk can be nearly eliminated with proper precautions. Statistically, the risk is very low. However, it’s still important to be aware of the potential dangers, especially if you are overweight or someone else sleeps in the bed that drinks alcohol or does drugs.
7) Disrupted Sleep for Parents
One of the most common concerns parents have when it comes to co-sleeping is the potential for disrupted sleep. Sharing a bed with your child can lead to more interrupted sleep, as children may move around throughout the night. Additionally, if your child wakes up frequently during the night, you’re more likely to be disturbed as well. However there are many parents that find both them and their child sleep BETTER together as parents don’t need to get up and out of the bed for night feedings, etc.
8) Dependency Issues
One often-cited potential drawback of co-sleeping is the possibility of dependency issues developing over time. When children become accustomed to sleeping in the same bed as their parents, they may have difficulty transitioning to sleeping independently in their own room. Parents are often afraid of potential long-term dependency issues, but this usually isn’t an issue as much as people might think.
9) Lack of Privacy
Another potential downside to co-sleeping is the lack of privacy it can create for parents. When your child sleeps in your bed, finding time and space for intimacy with your partner can be difficult. This can lead to feelings of frustration, resentment or even strain on the relationship over time. It can manifest as resentment toward both your partner and child, so it’s crucial to be aware of this possibility and make time to be intimate with each other in more unconventional ways. (You don’t HAVE to do it in the bedroom!)
10) Safety Concerns
One of the most pressing concerns when it comes to co-sleeping is safety. Parents need to be aware of many potential hazards, including the risk of their child falling out of bed. These risks can be especially concerning for infants and young children, who may not have the motor skills or awareness to avoid huge, heavy blankets on their face or where the edge of the bed is. It’s best to use some sort of barrier on the bed to prevent the child from falling off. We prefer foam bed bumpers that go under the sheets. When our children are newborns, we usually have a sidecar sleeper or co-sleeper bed attached to the side of the bed to further decrease safety concerns.
How To Make Co-Sleeping Work
If you’re considering co-sleeping with your child, it’s important to be aware of the potential pros and cons we’ve mentioned — but it’s equally important to know how to make it work for your family. So here are a few tips and pieces of advice to help you get started.
First and foremost, investing in high-quality queen-size mattresses can be a game-changer when it comes to co-sleeping. Not only will this give you and your child more space to spread out, but it can also help minimize disruptions if one of you tends to toss and turn during the night. Additionally, consider bedding comforters that are lightweight and breathable — this can help prevent overheating, which can be a concern when co-sleeping.
Another key aspect of making co-sleeping work is establishing clear boundaries and routines. For example, consider setting aside specific times or spaces for alone time with your partner so that you don’t feel like your entire bed is being taken over by children’s toys or stuffed animals. Also, establishing a consistent bedtime routine (such as reading books or singing songs) can help signal your child that it’s time for sleep. This can be especially helpful if they tend to struggle with falling asleep on their own.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, making co-sleeping work will depend on finding what works best for your family dynamic and following these co-sleeping rules. So keep an open mind, be willing to adjust as needed and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professionals (such as pediatricians or sleep consultants) if you’re struggling with any particular aspects of co-sleeping. And if you ultimately decide that the cons outweigh the pros for your family, there’s no shame in transitioning to a different sleeping arrangement. Every family is unique — so do what works best for yours!
