Co-Sleeping

Posted by Barb Hacker Mar 28, 2008

I’ve wanted to write a co-sleeping article for some time, but I was hesitant. While I am a supporter of co-sleeping, I also know that it is not right for every family. I do not want to advocate co-sleeping for everyone. While it can be a good choice for many families, for some, it is down right dangerous.

I’m heartbroken every time I hear a news report about an infant who has died while co-sleeping. Sadly, I know that this happens, but I also know that the news reporters never cover the full story. There are always questions that remain unanswered in their blanket condemnation of co-sleeping. Was the parent drunk? Was the parent taking a medication that causes deep sleep? Was the parent obese? Were the parent and baby sleeping on an un-safe surface, like a waterbed?

Bed sharing can be extremely beneficial for mothers and babies. I would wager that most breastfeeding mothers do end up co-sleeping at some point with their infants. Most, however, choose not to talk about it. Since infants need to nurse every two hours, it is pretty difficult for the mother to get any sleep if she chooses not to co-sleep. Because the infant never feels abandoned and alone, sleep problems in those early months can be virtually non existent when a family chooses co-sleeping.

Still, I was hesitant to write a co-sleeping article. I know that it is not for everyone and I would never recommend it lightly. I wanted to write an article that would be fair and look at the co-sleeping issue from both sides, but also focus heavily on co-sleeping safety. I hope that is what I have accomplished with The Pros and Cons of Co-Sleeping.