To Co-Sleep or Not to Co-Sleep?

on December 10, 2008 at 1:07 PM

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The debate about the safety of co-sleeping goes on. According to Fit Pregnancy, two new reports were recently issued, which just add to the confusion. Researchers in Britain found that sharing a bed with a baby 6 months or younger does not increase the risk of SIDS. However, it is dangerous if other factors are involved, such as drugs, alcohol, and extreme tiredness.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S.A., Texas officials revealed that 170 children, almost all of them younger than 6 months, died while co-sleeping with a parent, sibling, or caregiver in fiscal year 2008.

Fit Pregnancy promotes co-sleeping as long as certain precautions are followed, such as:

1. Do not sleep with your baby if either you or your partner smokes or has ingested alcohol or drugs.

2. Do not place loose pillows or soft blankets near the baby's face.

3. Place the baby to sleep on her back.

Check out The Family Bed for more safety measures to take when co-sleeping.

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: newborns, safety, sids, sleep

Comments (48)

joyfullem

on Dec 10, 2008 at 1:16 PM

I don't believe in co sleping just because I know many many parents who can't get their kids to leave once they start!! With DD she slept in her own bed all night then at about 6 she ate and then laid with me till about 8 or 9 just for about the first month or two. I always put her in one of those things that stops them from rolling! I knew i wouldn't roll over that but it didn't work and she scooted out of it. Other than that she only slept with me the days the got shots and/or had a fever

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AuntMommy25

on Dec 10, 2008 at 1:36 PM

My child is 3 years old now and when he was an infant, he didn't sleep with me at all. Now that he's older, he wants to sleep with us all the time. Sometimes we let him sleep with us but now he's not wanting to go back to his bed. I'm so mad becuz I know if I keep this up, he will never go back to his own bed.

Moni-101

on Dec 10, 2008 at 1:42 PM

Well... I agree that it is dangerous and that you probably should do it if you are on any medications OR if you are on drugs or alcohol because you could very possibly smother your baby. I will say that this is a decision that only the parents or parent can make.... it's up to you... whatever works best for you. I will admit it.. my daughter is 2 1/2... and yes.. she's been in bed with me since day 1... I wouldn't change that for the world... I know that the day will come when she wants her own space and to sleep in her own room but right now she wants to sleep with me and so I let her. I tried to get her to sleep in her own room and bed.. but she would just cry and cry and cry until she made herself sick. I tried all the "nanny911" advice and stuff.. it didn't work... Does that make me a bad mom? I hope not...

adulation

i coslept with lila the first 3 months. everything was fine and i enjoyed it.

it started out because it was easier for me while recovering from my csection but it helped us bond.

the only reason i stopped at 3 months is because i was beginning to want my space again and didn't want any problems putting her in her crib. =]

casseopeia

on Dec 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM

My SO co-sleeps with his 4 yo because her mother started her down this path and he doesn't want the drama to stop it. It is our most serious chaffing point. I will not stay at his place when his daughter is there because I cannot tolerate the interruption to my sleep.

Marj171

on Dec 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM

I co-sleep with my daughter and at first I thought it was a bad idea. With me she sleeps fine, if she sleeps alone whether it's in my bed or hers she still wakes up crying. In some cultures I have been told that the children co-sleep with their parents up until 8 or 9 yrs old!!!(This I can't imagine!)

KatieFlower

I cosleep with my son. Since he was 1 month old he slept in the cosleeper and at about 3 months he was sleeping through the night except for the 5 min feed and change. Sooo much better than waking up every hour. I am a SAHM with a king size bed so until I have a reason to stop I won't. I enjoy cuddling with my baby. He'll only be little for a little while. Hubby will be there alot longer, so Im enjoying my baby. lollipop

tazzygurl611

on Dec 10, 2008 at 2:04 PM

Im a cosleeper. We are transitioning her to her crib now at 9 mos. It was easier to co sleep and breast feed. My hubby was against ti in the beggining and now he is addicted to cuddling with her while we sleep.

lexi8622

on Dec 10, 2008 at 2:10 PM

Well, I put my daughter in her crib to sleep but probably the second time she wakes up, I'll take her into the bed with me. She seems to sleep a little bit longer in the morning when she's closer to me and I love having her that close. For the first month, she was in bed with me every night- then I wanted her to get used to her crib- there was no awkward tansition. I think people just need to be smart and I'm a single mom so it's just us two in my big bed :)

Care4birth

on Dec 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM

We always took it one day at a time, and, so did our son. I was already on "radar" so to speak, so if he squirmed, I was wide awake. We put him between us, and snuggled into him. We already usually slept on those sides anyway, so we were not likely to turn or bustle a lot in the night. We also put the bassinet next to the bed and kept a hand in. Today, he's 5, and loves being a big boy. Still, up until being 4, if he was sick, or if daddy was away, I'd invite him to stay after our Bible time (we read on the big bed). He loved the extra snuggle time, and never resorted to baby-like behavior because of it. So, I would suggest doing like we did! Taking it day by day. One or two snuggle times is not going to be a detriment to his behavior, as long as he senses the boundaries--our little guy did. Blessings to all--it's hard figuring out the best ideas and rules to these things, I know...