Nov 23 2008
Co-Sleeping
We’ve all heard how dangerous it is to let our babies sleep in bed with us. Chances are your doctor has drilled this into your head whether you’re a first time mom or a veteran. Just how reliable is this advice we’re getting? Is it backed by science or backed by the crib revolution. America is one of the few countries who separate their children at nap time or bed time to sleep alone in a crib. In my opinion this is absolutely heinous! Parents have been duped into believing it’s normal and OK for an infant to cry themselves to sleep. NEWS FLASH. It is NOT OK. If your baby is crying, something is wrong. Perhaps it is just comfort they need and who are we to withhold it?? Does any other mammal on the planet disregard the cries of their infant? I’d say not. So I did a little digging and got the real scoop on co-sleeping.
Research (meaning scientific studies have been conducted) shows that:
-Babies who sleep with their parents sleep more peacefully. They wake up crying far less than an infant in a crib.
-Co-Sleeping infants have more stable temperatures, heart rythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing. They sleep safer.
-LOWERS the risk of SIDS. You may have heard otherwise but this is what the research leans to. C0-Sleeping babies spend more time on their back or side, decreasing the risk of SIDS. Carbon Dioxide exhaled by a parent stimulates babies breathing.
-Co-Sleepers have higher self-esteem, less anxiety, are better behaved, comfortable with affection and become independent sooner.
Many parents are concerned that if they let their child sleep in bed with them that they will never get them out. This is simply not true. When children become more cognitively and emotionally devoloped (typically around age 2 to3), they will usually with little persuasion branch out to their own bed or sleeping space.
There’s no reason to isolate your child and let them cry unneccesarily. Do whats best for your baby. Raise them with comfort and love and the benefits will be immeasurable in the short term and the long term.
For more info visit www.askdrsears.com
