Pros and cons of co-sleeping

 1. What is co-sleeping   

Co-Sleeping is defined as co-sleeping with one or more adult persons. Co-Sleeping is an emerging concept in infant and child care circles. Co-Sleeping is also used when there are diverse health risks for infants and children, and the infant cannot go to the nursery for various reasons. It is an alternative to the death of the infant due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics has also encouraged parents to co-sleep with their children to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Co-Sleeping is defined as a practice where young children and babies sleep close to either parent, rather than in a separate sleeping area. Co-Sleeping people sleep in near sensory contact with each other, feeling the presence of others around them. They can be in separate rooms but still, they feel the presence of another person. Baby bed-sharing, which is the practice of sharing a bed with another baby, is now illegal in many states.

In the United States, many pediatricians and other medical professionals believe that sleep is better for babies when they are in proximity to their parents. Studies have shown that sleep is much more restful and calmer when an infant is in proximity to their parent or guardian. Some families who sleep together as well, although not necessarily together in a crib, proximity helps baby to become more secure and calm.

A typical co-bed arrangement is: the mother sleeps on a bassinet or baby crib, while a father sleeps on a platform top bed frame. The infant sits on a platform or bassinet beneath his father’s bed. It is preferable for forefathers to keep their legs bent always, to avoid knocking their infants off balance and possibly injuring them. An older child may sleep on a different mattress, elevated, from the bassinet or crib. This elevation allows the child to climb up into the crib.

Parents who choose co sleeping often cite many benefits to their infant. They feel much more secure knowing their child is safe and secure with another person. They also say that their infant feels more secure because he or she is in the “parental” lap of the parent, close enough to touch, but not so close as to allow the baby to cry out. Some mothers even say that they don’t get the same sleep with their infants that they do when they are sleeping alone.

Some worries about co-sleeping include the danger of suffocation, or of the adult bed partner getting hurt. However, studies show that limited children have ever died because of co-sleeping. One study did report that an infant might roll onto his or her stomach, but this usually happens with a grown adult who was sleeping on his back. Also, most beds now come with some type of guard to prevent the head from rolling too far forward, which many infants and toddlers tend to do. Many infants who co-sleep with their parents, don’t experience any problems with being rolled onto their back, so this is probably an unfounded fear.

 2. The benefits of co-sleeping   

There are many benefits of co-sleeping, but perhaps one of the most important is that it can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the United States and in certain parts of the world, especially in Europe, co-sleeping with a newborn can be a legal requirement for breastfeeding mothers. The protection of the child from being put to bed alone with an adult is essential. According to statistics, babies who are co-slepted by their parents or other care givers have a 25 percent decrease in SIDS.

When babies are co-slepted, they are usually in a more restful state and can get more quality sleep. Research has shown that babies who are breastfed are more likely to gain weight than those who are bottle-fed. Babies who are bottle-fed are often unable to sleep through the night and are often kept awake by crying. Sharing a bed with your baby provides your baby with a closer proximity to you and more interaction that helps to promote better sleep.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants should be sleep on their backs, with their head supported by a firm mattress. Research has shown that co-sleeping with your husband or another adult can help reduce the occurrence of separation anxiety and promotes better sleep for the mother. Although some doctors argue that co-sleeping with your baby is dangerous because of the potential for suffocation, there are too many benefits of co-sleeping to ignore. It is much safer than the alternative, bottle feeding.

Many new parents find that co-sleeping with their newborn is much easier if the parents sleep in separate bedrooms. The separation does not usually cause any discomfort for the baby, but many older babies resent the change in their routine. You can easily overcome this problem by ensuring that the baby is sleeping in his room, with his bed and his cupboard.

Many doctors recommend co-sleeping when a baby is born, because they are less dependent on their mother and therefore are more relaxed. However, research shows that bed sharing will decrease the risk of SIDS by almost forty per cent. The benefits of co-sleeping extend beyond the safety of the child. Studies show that it reduces the risk of depression, improves the mothers mood and decreases the stress hormone cortisol. Co-sleeping can also help to save on  your Toledo Edison costs by allowing you to focusing your home’s HVAC on one room. Since the AC accounts for the majority of your Ohio home’s electric bill then by majority of the family sleeping in one room it can save on utility bills.

The benefits of co-sleeping with your newborn include a closeness that is invaluable between mom and baby. The closeness not only exists during the early months of development but into the toddler years and later. The bond that is formed between baby and mother is an enduring one and helps create a strong family unit.

 3. The drawback of co-sleeping 

Co-sleeping with your infant or toddler is an essential part of their development. Many studies have shown that babies who co-sleep with their parents develop a stronger bond and are more responsive to their parent’s needs than children who do not co-sleep. So why is co-sleeping with your infant or toddler considered a disadvantage? There are many reasons for co-sleeping including; a parent may not be able to breastfeed due to health or economic reasons, a parent may feel they cannot be trusted with the baby, a parent may be too tired to nurse or a parent may feel they can more easily carry out other tasks while holding the baby.

If you decide to co-sleep with your infant, it is important to remember the benefits of co-sleeping. Breastfeeding is an essential part of the mother’s pregnancy and breastfed infants are less likely to suffer from health problems or be hospitalized as infants who co-sleep are more rested and generally healthier. In addition breastfeeds carried out on a regular basis will help ensure your baby is receiving all the essential nutrients for their growing bodies.

There has been some concern about the effects of co-sleeping on an infant’s sleeping pattern. New research has shown that there is actually no significant change to the babies sleeping patterns when co-sleeping, although a majority of these babies do startle well in the middle of the night. The biggest issue that comes up is the mothers worrying that they are not providing enough sleep for their baby and end up napping themselves.One final note regarding the drawback of co-sleeping: While co-sleeping can be a positive thing for some, it can also be harmful to both mother and child. The dangers include overheating, suffocation, and smothering. In addition, it is important for parents to set clear and enforceable rules for co-sleeping. This includes using the baby’s bedroom only for sleeping, and removing all distractions such as stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets. If these guidelines are followed, co-sleeping should be a wonderful experience that benefits both mother and child.

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