Co-sleeping (letting your baby share your bed instead of sleeping alone) is another one of those polarizing parenting issues that rankles people on both sides of the divide. These are some of the reasons why I think it is the best solution for all concerned.

Culture

It is important to realize at the outset that one’s culture has a lot to do with one’s stance on the issue. In the developing world, co-sleeping is the norm; only in industrialized and “civilized” nations has it become common to expect babies to sleep on their own from a very young age. But while our culture may have evolved, our biology hasn’t, and babies still crave parental touch, this doesn’t magically go away when the sun goes down.

Safety

One of the main reasons some people are reluctant to co-sleep is because of security concerns. Obviously, it’s up to parents to make sure their baby’s environment is safe, regardless of where the child sleeps. In a co-sleeping situation, this may mean putting away the big, fluffy pillows for a while, and of course making sure there are no gaps around the edges of the bed that baby can slip into. Heavy drinkers, smokers, and drug or medication users should not sleep together for obvious reasons.

However, aside from these obvious factors, research actually indicates that co-sleeping infants have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and have better-developed immune systems, as they generally breastfeed more often.

Accessibility

Having access to your baby at arms length is great for night feeds, especially if you are breastfeeding. With a little practice, you’ll find that she may not even wake up: in fact, Mom turns into a drive-in restaurant! In addition to feeding, soothing her baby is much easier with her next to her than down the hall, leading to more sleep for everyone and less arguing about whose turn it is.

sleep quality

You will find that everyone experiences a different quality of sleep, ie lighter with frequent interruptions due to rolling over, dreaming and attending to the baby’s needs. Remember that your own movements during sleep will also affect the baby. However, in my experience, you’ll wake up much more rested due to the fact that co-sleeping babies tend to wake up less often and settle down faster.

(Independence

Many parents fear creating overdependence in their children if they allow them to sleep together. In reality, the opposite is true: Co-sleeping children tend to be more secure and have higher self-esteem than those who cry themselves to sleep. It’s important to understand that much of our thinking on this topic is still shaped by outdated Victorian values: “children should be seen and not heard,” and that babies are, by definition, dependent creatures. Trying to cut the dependency ropes too early is counterproductive and will likely make your child more clingy.

And don’t worry, the time will come for the baby to move into his own bed, and when he does, everyone should be much better prepared for it.