{"id":6876,"date":"2020-06-24T22:58:13","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T20:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/?p=6876"},"modified":"2021-05-01T15:23:04","modified_gmt":"2021-05-01T13:23:04","slug":"co-sleeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/co-sleeping\/","title":{"rendered":"Co-Sleeping: What Every Parent Should Know About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much has been written about sleeping in one bed with your children, so-called <\/span>co-sleeping<\/span>, and there are all sorts of opinions between the pros and cons. There\u2019s some logic to both sides, but no definite rules. Like many other aspects of parenting, it\u2019s best to trust your own feelings and your baby\u2019s needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the past, the tips for how to discipline and raise a generation were different from today. For good or ill, a more liberal approach to child-rearing has been achieved. But sharing a bed with your children at night has its advantages and disadvantages, which must be considered before making a decision. After all, nowadays, more and more rules are set by the children, not the parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Co-Sleeping<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n

It includes either sharing a bed or at least a room\u2014most commonly, a combination of the two\u2014during an infant\u2019s earliest months. Almost 75% of parents sleep with their babies in their early days, and half still share their bedrooms with them three months after birth. By the time children are six months old, one in four babies still sleeps in the parents\u2019 bed or room.<\/span><\/p>\n

The practice of sleeping together is controversial, both medically and culturally. For example, the <\/span>American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a> (AAP)<\/span> recommends sleeping in the same room instead of sleeping in the same bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, <\/span>bed sharing with<\/span> a <\/span>newborn<\/span> or infant under the age of two years is very popular. Small children usually want to sleep with their parents\u2014as such, it\u2019s challenging to get children this age to sleep alone. Their verbal communication is minimal, and it takes some effort to understand why they won\u2019t stay in their beds. Furthermore, these children tend to feel more attached to their parents. For this reason, many parents agree to let them stay in their bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, other people recommend that instead of <\/span>co-sleeping,<\/span> a <\/span>crib<\/span> in the baby\u2019s bedroom is a better place to sleep from the fourth or fifth month of birth and on. However, in cultures where sharing the bed with the child is extremely common, some children sleep with their parents until they\u2019re six or seven years old. Japan, for example, is one of these countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And although <\/span>co-sleeping around the world<\/span> is widespread, this practice is not particularly tolerated or common in Western culture, where babies are traditionally put in cribs in a separate room early on. When it comes to older children, this also makes it easier for them to understand that they need to sleep in their bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reasons Children Like <\/b>Sharing a Bed with Mom<\/b> or Dad<\/b><\/h2>\n

The reasons children want to sleep in a shared bed with their parents may vary depending on the age and personality of the child. This is also greatly influenced by the dynamics of the family and the relationship between the parent and child. However, <\/span>sleep is very important for children<\/span><\/a>\u2014as it is for their parents\u2014thus, good quality rest is necessary for everyone to stay healthy. Let\u2019s look at some common reasons why children want to sleep with their parents:<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear of the Dark<\/b><\/h3>\n

Fear of the dark is one of the most common reasons for parent and <\/span>infant bed sharing<\/span>. Generally, children who fear the dark express their fear. But this allows you to find a solution to the problem early. If the cause is a deep-rooted fear, it may be helpful to seek professional help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear of Being Alone<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s usual for children to be scared of something. And the fear of being left alone is one of the most common reasons for <\/span>co-sleeping<\/span>. You, as a parent, should help your children cope with their fears.<\/span><\/p>\n

Attachment to Parents<\/b><\/h3>\n

Everyone knows that children want to spend a lot of time with their parents and share all their days and nights because of their unique connection. We have to mention that with children, certain sleep disorders are common: <\/span>teeth grinding<\/span>, night terrors, <\/span>restless legs syndrome<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>sleepwalking<\/span>, and <\/span>sleep talking<\/span>. In these cases, both parents and children may be calmer if they sleep together. The same goes for children who fall on the <\/span>autistic spectrum<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Co-Sleeping: Pros and Cons<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sleeping in a single bed with your baby usually involves several controversial topics: breastfeeding, closeness, more restful sleep, and self-confidence. Each of them has its pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Pros<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Cons<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Breastfeeding<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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  • In the beginning, the baby needs constant physical contact with the mother. <\/span>Co-sleeping with your <\/span>baby<\/span> allows immediate access to their food at night. Moreover, the baby manages to feed and calm down almost without waking up\u2014and without the mother having to wake up completely.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • Sleeping with the baby close to the mother and providing direct access to breastmilk prolongs the time for <\/span>breastfeeding at night, which delays the time when the baby will sleep peacefully.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Child Safety<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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  • A mother has sharp instincts. Thanks to this, even in her sleep, she protects her baby, checks that they\u2019re breathing normally, and is in constant vigilance for their needs when she is near.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • There is a danger of a baby being crushed or suffocated when sharing the bed. Also, in the case of <\/span>bed sharing, SIDS becomes more of a concern.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Peaceful Sleep for Both Parents and Children<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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  • When the child is in their parents\u2019 bed, the parents won\u2019t have to wake up several times a night to comfort them if they cry. This is one of the most significant <\/span>co-sleeping benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • When sharing a bed with her baby, a mother is always alert and unable to sleep deeply, meaning she can\u2019t rest well at night. Also, the child may impede the parents\u2019 intimate life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The Child\u2019s Self-Confidence<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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  • Sleeping in a parent\u2019s bed makes the child more confident and relaxed. It\u2019s also a good way to manage night fears, which over time can turn the child into an insecure adult.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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