I have vague memories as a child, of when I felt scared or frightened, jumping into my parents bed for reassurance. Mom and Dad could protect me from all the scary monsters, shadows, bad dreams and even the occasional wet bed. I never routinely co-slept with my parents but I remember the comfort and reassurance.
Co-sleeping came naturally to us by the time we had our second baby. It was a matter of necessity to begin with; I as exhausted and didn’t want to add anything to my workload! Now, I don’t look forward to ending this part of our parenting journey.
Master 2 has his own bed, but inevitably ends up with us most nights. Master 9 months sleeps with me, with an extendercot I fashioned by removing one side of his cot (Which happened to be the perfect height to our bed!) So in effect, we have a REALLY big queen sized bed 
Photo by Kelly Sue
I love co-sleeping because:
- I don’t have to get up to feed the baby, I just lift my top and he latches on. He can feed as much as he needs throughout the night.
- I feel safe being able to hear and feel my baby sleeping next to me.
- I know that he feels secure and safe, and that there’s no better place for him snuggled up with his mama and dada, listening to his mommy’s heartbeat. He cries less, cuddles more, and we all get a better night’s sleep.
- In wintertime, the extra warmth of a cosy baby is just divine! I also he’s kept warm and snug.
- The loving relationship fostered between brothers sharing bedspace with their parents is just lovely. In the morning as they’re waking, I watch them hold hands and play together.
Co-sleeping is something that most countries outside the detatched society of the “Western Hemisphere” take for granted. So much to so, in countries where it’s normal, phenomenon like SIDS are virtually unheard of.
There’s a lot of press citing the dangers of co-sleeping, but those risks are only apparent when parents have been drinking, smoking, or under the influence of drugs. It’s also dangerous to co-sleep on a soft surface such as an arm chair or sofa.
There is no link to co-sleeping and cot-death or SIDS, only co-sleeping under risky situations as listed above. Infact studies highlight the benefits and safety of co-sleeping:
- Increased sleep for mother and baby
- Increased security and feelings of wellbeing for mother and baby
- Ability to breastfeed on demand, hence an easier transition to breastfeeding and a great way to ensure adequate supply
- Decreased risk of post partum depression due to increased endorphins.
Back in our primitive days, babies would have spent ALL of their time close by to their mothers – a crying infant would only draw attention of predators, so the safest place to sleep would be in the warmth of mum’s arms. (Incidentally, where the great majority of babies still do )
There are some great resources on co-sleeping at
http://www.attachmentparenting.org/support/resources.php#night
