Co – Sleeping: Yes We Do It.

There so much hoopla about why you should not co sleep and how it can be harmful to the baby, and cause your kids to not want to sleep on their own beds when they get older.

Hey, I’m a co sleeper and love it! I grew up co sleeping with my own mom and grandma so  it only seems natural to pass it on to my kids.  Co sleeping draws families together and creates that closeness that bonds each family individual.

Co sleeping for some families is where they have one bed in which they all sleep in it. However, each of my children has their own room, or they share one. For all of their own things.  However, if the kiddies don’t feel like sleeping in their own room one night, I don’t force them not to, I can lay with them in their own bed, or a lot the times the little ones sleep with us, even the dog…..

It is a controversial topic that is gaining more and more support. I chose to co-sleep because it something that I grew up doing. Than when I had my own children , it was easier to breastfeed the babies and get some rest all at the same time.

There are many arguments against co-sleeping, however one could easily find fault with these arguments.  Many of the arguments address potential problems, such as not sleeping with your child if you have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not allowing a toddler to sleep next to an infant, and not sleeping with your child if you suffer from sleeping disorders.  These obstacles are rare or can be overcome with a little creativity or planning.

Most parents who do choose to co-sleep are very responsible adults who choose to sleep with their children to reap the many positive benefits, such as the bond it creates between a parent and a child, the positive sleep pattern it allows into their lives, the ease of breastfeeding a child in the middle of the night.  All of these things paint a wonderful picture of a positive parenting relationship between parent and child.

Co-sleeping is a natural way of taking care of our children that our ancestors did for many years.  The mothers of children for many years even carried their children around with them throughout the day, never allowing their infant to even leave the comfort and closeness of their bodies during the daytime, much less during the night.  This begs the question, “If it’s not broke, why fix it?”  If this process worked for so many years before us, then why do we question it so quickly today?

Co-sleeping might not work for everyone, but it is definitely something that should be considered as a positive parenting technique and as an opportunity for a restful nights sleep to be had by all.  If you do decide to co-sleep especially with an infant, there are some precautions to consider.  Do not use heavy bedding, as the infant can suffocate.  Do not allow the infant to sleep on the outer edge where falls can occur.  Investing in bed rails might be a good idea.  Make sure your mattress is on the firm side so that the surface your baby sleeps on is as level as possible. This will help everyone get a restful sleep if they are not tossed when the person next to them turns.

I co sleep and luv it, I think the dog does too!