Crib-Sleeping Vs. Co-Sleeping

Crib Sleeping Vs. Co-Sleeping: Where does your baby spend the night? -- Parenting

"Where is your baby sleeping?" The article starts off by saying this is one of the most dreaded questions by new parents; being a new mom myself I have to admit I don't care much for this question either. Both sides are quick to judge one another. When the survey was conducted mothers who placed their babies in the crib to sleep (referred to in the article as crib-sleepers) thought mothers who slept with their children (referred to in the article as co-sleepers) were irresponsible, putting the child's life at risk, spoiling the baby, and taking the easy road. Co-sleepers on the other hand use James McKenna's (Ph.D.) work which has found that in countries where co-sleeping is the norm they actually have a lower SIDS rate. Co-sleepers, like crib-sleepers, chose their sleeping arrangement based upon safety issues as well (they felt their baby was safer sleeping with them) and they feel that crib-sleepers will not have as close of a bond with their mothers.

On another website it discuss the work of McKenna and pediatrician William Sears who both say that the risk of SIDS is lowered due to co-sleeping and that other things benefit from co-sleeping as well. McKenna's research has shown that babies who co-sleep spend less time in Level III sleep where the apnea risks increase and they also learn to imitate breathing patterns of their parents. It also says that babies who sleep with their parents will actually be more independent than other children, perform well in school, have a high self-esteem, and have fewer health problems.

Co-sleeping may not be the right thing for everyone, but it may not be as bad for babies as some used to think. There may actually be benefits to be had from co-sleeping. But all scientist and doctors in support of co-sleeping agree that the only way to do it is to do it the safe way. Before you even consider co-sleeping with your child you should look at this and make sure you have done everything on it to ensure that your baby is as safe as he or she can possibly be.