Co-sleeping. Benefits and drawbacks

The term co-sleeping means sleeping next to your baby . Having him so close during the night will make him feel protected, covered and close to his food source, whether through his mother's breast or a bottle. When the baby is very small, his nutritional needs occur every few hours, and having him nearby during this stage makes feedings faster and easier. Curiously, although co-sleeping may sound like a more or less new practice, the truth is that it has very little current. Historically it was a very widespread practice mainly due to a question of space. In previous centuries, people had more children and homes were smaller, so it was common for more people to sleep together in the same room and even in the same bed. Over time, families opted for larger homes and this led to children sleeping in their own rooms separate from their parents' beds.

Benefits of co-sleeping

As we mentioned previously, defenders of co-sleeping highlight that it facilitates nocturnal breastfeeding . Mother and baby can rest better at night because the feedings are done quickly and both can fall back asleep in bed. In addition to this, we can also highlight the emotional benefits that are established thanks to the contact between mother and child, strengthening their bond and providing greater security and physical-emotional well-being for the baby, which will positively influence the child in the future. The defense of this practice is also based on the fact that children who have been raised through co-sleeping are more self-confident adults , with greater self-esteem and a higher level of optimism and happiness.

Disadvantages of co-sleeping in the same bed

As in all practices, there is also a lot of information that advises against its use, especially if co-sleeping takes place in the same bed in which the parents sleep. The main reasons are the risk of suffocation, crushing and sudden death . For this reason, many organizations defend this form of parenting only if the baby rests and sleeps in a crib next to the parents' bed. Added to this inconvenience are arguments that point out the negative emotional consequences that this practice can have, such as the baby's increased dependence on the mother , the lack of intimacy for the parents, etc.

Practical solutions

After knowing all the benefits that co-sleeping can bring, carried out correctly, crib manufacturers offer a new alternative to practice it safely. These are new cribs that can be anchored to the side of the bed with side opening. In this way, we continue to provide security and comfort to the baby, who, while having his or her own space, remains safe from the most dangerous risks associated with co-sleeping . As with any topic, co-sleeping has its defenders and its detractors. Both positions have their logical explanations to defend them but in the end, in each family, parents and babies must be able to adapt to each other. As a general rule, nothing should be labeled as bad or wrong as long as it is within common sense and brings happiness to the family unit.