More on the benefits of co-sleeping

[Papist]

This is a very informative article from La Leche League.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/ba/Feb93.html

The paragraph that stood out for me was this:

Infants sleeping for long periods in social isolation from parents constitutes an extremely recent cultural experiment, the biological and psychological consequences of which have never been evaluated. Most Americans assume that solitary sleep is "normal," the healthiest and safest form of infant sleep. Psychologists as well as parents assume that this practice promotes infantile physiological and social autonomy. Recent studies challenge the validity of these assumptions and provide many reasons for postulating potential benefits to infants sleeping in close proximity to their parents - benefits which would not seem likely with solitary sleeping. Current clinical models of the development of "normal" infant sleep are based exclusively on studies of solitary sleeping infants. Since infant-parent co-sleeping represents a species-wide pattern, and is practiced by the vast majority of contemporary peoples, the accepted clinical model of the "ontogeny" of infant sleep is probably not accurate, but rather reflects only how infants sleep under solitary conditions. I wonder whether our cultural preferences as to how we want infants to sleep push some infants beyond their adaptive limits

 

[E-beth]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

My son's doctor and I have been going round and round about this. Doc says son should absolutely never sleep with me. Parenting stuff says that he should get used to sleeping alone all night, and if he cries to be picked up from his crib, leave him there and let him cry.

NOT!

From day one, my son and I have both slept better when he was either in my arms or lying beside me. In the hospital I would not sleep all night and would cat nap in the day when I was left alone with my newborn and could sit up holding him.

So recently I decided to follow doctor's orders and put baby in his crib. He goes to sleep in my arms and I put him in his crib. Then at 3AM he wakes up crying and turning him over and patting him isn't what he needs. So I cuddle him, and he zonks out. Sometimes in the night he will reach over in his sleep and pat my arm, as if to reassure himself that I am there.

So I am gradually getting him in his crib. It just looks so much like a cage and he looks so tiny in it.

anyway, thanks for showing me a link to make me feel like maybe I am not totally messing up my kid for life.

 

[Papist]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

My son's doctor and I have been going round and round about this. Doc says son should absolutely never sleep with me. Parenting stuff says that he should get used to sleeping alone all night, and if he cries to be picked up from his crib, leave him there and let him cry.

NOT!

From day one, my son and I have both slept better when he was either in my arms or lying beside me. In the hospital I would not sleep all night and would cat nap in the day when I was left alone with my newborn and could sit up holding him.

So recently I decided to follow doctor's orders and put baby in his crib. He goes to sleep in my arms and I put him in his crib. Then at 3AM he wakes up crying and turning him over and patting him isn't what he needs. So I cuddle him, and he zonks out. Sometimes in the night he will reach over in his sleep and pat my arm, as if to reassure himself that I am there.

So I am gradually getting him in his crib. It just looks so much like a cage and he looks so tiny in it.

anyway, thanks for showing me a link to make me feel like maybe I am not totally messing up my kid for life.

Glad to be of help!

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Excellent article!!!

My baby has only recently began to sleep in her own room (3 weeks I think).

Prior to that she shared our bedroom in her own crib. And when she was much younger (and while the dad worked away - about 0-7 months), she and I shared the same bed.

I've noticed that since she is now in her own room, she is happy to play until I come in to feed her. My bedroom and her room doors are open. If she's distressed I'm in there like a shot and I always pick her up.

I did feel guilty about initially sleeping with her in the same bed but that article was a very refreshing change and plus it was easier on the night feeds.

God bless.

 

[Brittney Moody]

Papist, Aren't your kids big now though- not infants? Just wondering- not that it makes a difference because I say let them sleep with you for as long as they want- they won't be around forever.

 

[Papist]

Papist, Aren't your kids big now though- not infants? Just wondering- not that it makes a difference because I say let them sleep with you for as long as they want- they won't be around forever.

One is six months, the other is four years. I agree with you, Brittney.

 

[wonder111]

it's funny, I was talking about this to my aunt yesterday. Her daughter used to sleep with her for quite a long time, and she didn't believe in "letting the baby cry alone" bit. Now, her daughter is extremely confident and independent. I've read studies somewhere that mentioned children who were physically close to their parents at a very young age, had more confidence than if they were left alone. Sorry, can't remember where I read that but it makes sense. It also true that babies who are touched and held more as infants have higher immune systems

 

[E-beth]

Last night I put my 14 month old in his crib like I do sometimes. He usually wakes up around 2 or 3 and I bring him to bed with me. But this morning I awoke at 6:30 and realized that he never called me. I ran in his room to make sure he as okay, which he was. Which just shows me that when my baby is ready, he will sleep alone.

 

[suzie]

We always had an open bed policy for our kids. If they were sick, bad dream, couldnt sleep, scared, they came in and jumped in or cried and we carried them in. Sometimes all 3. We encouraged them to sleep in their own beds however, and when they fell asleep in ours we would carry them back into their own beds.
I dont think it is a good idea for children to sleep with parents on a regular basis or as a routine however because it first of all it interferes with the husband /wife relationship and it also can be harmful especially with infants. There are deaths that occur every year from suffocation in bed. That is a very real threat. With newborns to a few months, a cradle placed in the parents room or next to the bed can be an alternative.