Co-sleeping is a topic that has sparked considerable debate among parents, pediatricians, and researchers. Supporters tout benefits such as better sleep for both parents and babies. But concerns about SIDS risks and other safety issues have led others to warn against co-sleeping.
This article reviews current safety guidelines and provides helpful tips for parents considering co-sleeping. Plus, I’ll share what I did when my kids were babies!
What is Co-Sleeping?
Co-sleeping is when parents share a sleeping space with their baby or young child. Typically up to 1 year of age. Many parents decide to share a room for longer periods of time.
Some people define co-sleeping as sleeping with the baby within arm’s length, while others define co-sleeping as having parent and baby sleeping in the same room. When sharing a room, your baby may sleep next to your parents’ bed, or in a bed or crib across the room. Sharing a room is quite acceptable for at least the first six months of life.
But bed sharing is more controversial. Bed sharing literally means sleeping in the same bed as your baby. It’s more common than you think. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a survey of caregivers in 2015.
More than half (61%) of the caregivers surveyed reported sharing a bed at least some of the time.
Benefits of Co-Sleeping
Co-sleeping with your baby can have physical and emotional benefits for both you and your baby.
Increased binding force
Co-sleeping can strengthen the bond between parent and baby. Closeness increases opportunities for interactions such as breastfeeding and comforting. Sleeping near you at night may provide your baby with a sense of security. This sense of safety can lead to better emotional development and reduced separation anxiety.
Promotes breastfeeding
Co-sleeping makes nighttime breastfeeding more convenient. Mothers may decide to breastfeed longer (6 months or more) because it is easier to catch up each night.
A 1997 study found that infants who bed-shared breastfed more often and for longer periods of time. They breastfed more often and spent three times more time at night than those who slept separately.
Reduce the risk of SIDS
One side benefit is that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A German study found that formula-fed babies not only had a higher risk of SIDS, but the risk was twice as high as breast-fed babies.
Sleeping near a parent can also reduce the risk of SIDS. Sleeping close to a parent helps regulate the baby’s breathing and body temperature. Healthy breathing patterns can also reduce the risk of SIDS.
Advantage Byte Development
More convenient breastfeeding may have even wider benefits. A 2022 study found that co-sleeping as a baby helped develop latching skills in toddlers.
Children who had a habit of co-sleeping as babies were less likely to use pacifiers or suck their thumbs. As a result, they were less likely to have overbites, crossbites, or open bites. They had better facial development because of co-sleeping.
Better sleep for parents
Having your baby close by can make nighttime care tasks like feeding and comforting easier and faster. As a result, parents can get a restful night’s sleep.
Is co-sleeping safe?
New parents may wonder if bed sharing is safe. Bed sharing is actually a biological norm and has been common throughout history. Western society has moved away from it for convenience. As long as parents follow certain practices, it can be safe.
One such practice is breastfeeding. Breastfed babies have a symbiotic relationship with their mothers and can safely sleep together in bed. However, formula-fed babies are safer to sleep on their sides or in a crib next to their mothers.
Dr. James McKenna, director of the Maternal and Child Sleep Research Institute at the University of Notre Dame and widely regarded as a co-sleeping expert, explains that there are several reasons why breastfed and bottle-fed infants differ.
“Breastfeeding changes how and where the baby is placed next to the mother, the baby’s arousal patterns, how sensitive the baby and mother are to each other’s movements, sounds, and proximity, and how responsive the baby and mother are to each other’s behavior. Sleep architecture (how much time is spent in the different stages of sleep, and how and when the baby moves from one stage to another) is very different between bottle-feeding and breastfeeding pairs.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still advises against bed sharing in its updated 2022 guidelines. They warn that bed sharing increases the risk of SIDS. However, SIDS is a greater concern when sharing a bed with premature and low birth weight babies. Healthy, full-term babies are not at as great a risk as long as parents follow safe sleep practices.
Dr. McKenna also reviewed research purportedly linking SIDS and co-sleeping. He said there are many inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the interpretation of co-sleeping and SIDS research findings.
There are always examples of people not following safe bed-sharing practices. But that doesn’t mean no one should do it. And it’s important to note that asphyxiation due to unsafe co-sleeping is not SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), although the two are often tied together.
Safe Co-Sleeping Practices
Here’s how to bed-share safely. This applies to daytime naps as well as nighttime naps.
- It may be safest for a breastfed baby to sleep next to their mother (rather than their father)
- Infants under 1 year old should not sleep with older children.
- Your baby should be placed on a firm sleeping surface (not a waterbed or sofa).
- Make sure there are no holes in the headboard and footboard where your baby could get trapped at night. The mattress must fit snugly against the headboard to ensure a safe sleep for your infant.
- Sheepskin is not a good idea. Neither are heavy blankets, comforters, or pillows. They can increase the risk of overheating and suffocation. Use a lightweight baby blanket.
- A well-fitting baby sleeping bag can help prevent suffocation by providing your baby with separate bedding.
- Remove any strangulation hazards, such as jewelry, pacifier clips, or teething necklaces.
- Some parents choose to use: cradle next to the bedIt keeps your sleeping baby close to you while also giving your baby his or her own space.
The UK’s Lullaby Trust has also created a guide to safe mattress and bedding options for co-sleeping. They emphasize using a firm, flat mattress and avoiding soft or bulky bedding.
How about teaching independence?
Some parents may be concerned that their child will never get out of bed. However, many of the ideas in baby sleep training apply here. A good way to start is to gradually transition your baby to his or her own sleep space. Start with a few minutes in your baby’s crib or bassinet. Then gradually increase the amount of time your baby sleeps alone.
Be responsive to your baby’s needs during the transition period. Comfort your baby if he or she is upset, but encourage him or her to go back to sleep in his or her own sleeping space. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal can help your baby soothe themselves and get back to sleep when they wake up during the night.
Another concern is that co-sleeping as babies may cause children to become less independent as they get older. The good news is Research Findings Quite the opposite. Children who co-sleep as children were more self-reliant and independent as preschoolers than children who did not co-sleep as babies.
Co-sleeping and bed-sharing are common practices around the world. It’s not a new concept. You might be surprised at how many world leaders throughout history shared a bed with their mothers as infants.
It’s not all or nothing
It is important to remember that it doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” Once your baby is sleeping through the night, it may be time to gradually move your baby to his or her own room. Parents can use co-sleeping as part of baby-led sleep training.
There are times when it is not ideal for a baby to sleep in an adult bed. For example, if a parent has a respiratory illness or the flu, it is best for the baby to sleep alone in a crib or crib. Separate sleep is also recommended on nights when one or both parents have been drinking alcohol.
Many parents simply feel uncomfortable sharing a bed. That’s perfectly fine! Parents who sleep deeply, parents who take certain medications, parents who have medical conditions, etc. may not want to share a bed with their baby. In any case, there is no judgment here. Room sharing is still a great option.
What I did/What I did
When my children were babies, I shared a bed with them for the first few months. They were used to being close to me in the womb, so it was a natural transition to have them sleep right next to me in bed. As my babies started to move around more, I also started to feel more comfortable letting them sleep on their own.
Of course, bed preparations vary for each baby and each family. Do what works best for you.
What do you think about co-sleeping? Have you practiced bed-sharing or room-sharing with young children? Share it below!
