Sharing Sleep with Your Baby

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

29 Jun 2006 01:34 PM

It might surprise you to know that putting your baby in a crib is a cultural idea. Families all over the world consider the best place for an infant to sleep, to be in the parents' bed. Co-sleeping with your infant does encourage breast feeding and it may buy you at least a few more hours of sleep. That can be a precious commodity in those early days. Many moms and dads report that they sleep more soundly with their babies in their bed through the night.

Furthermore, sleep sharing is more common than you might think. An informal survey done by Dr. Sears revealed that many, many parents practice sleep sharing with their infants. But they don't tell their pediatricians or their in-laws! Consider some of the benefits of sleep sharing:

Babies breathe better Babies who sleep with their parents breathe better while sleeping. Early research indicates that infants breathe irregularly in their sleep. Babies who sleep alone, however, experience more erratic sleep than do babies who are sleeping with their mothers. Some studies indicate that erratic breathing patterns are reduced by as much as 95% by putting the baby with mother during sleep.

One theory is that the mother acts as a sort of "pace maker" to help regulate an infant's breathing. If you have an infant, try placing him/ her on your chest or next to your face as you breathe. You will notice that the infant will start to breath in synch with you. It is thought that the mother in effect, "reminds" the baby to breathe.

Mom sleeps better In research studies, sleep-sharing pairs tended to arouse at the same time. Mothers and babies would frequently arouse together, without either fully awakening. It seems that the baby senses mother's presence and is frequently able to settle back into a sleep.

Also, many moms are able to breast feed an infant without really waking up. Also many infants are soothed simply by sensing mom's presence. Mom is able to touch the infant during sleep which results in less crying and night waking and more rest for everyone!

Co-sleeping Can Reduce the risk of SIDS

There are several mechanisms that contribute to this. The first is that by co-sleeping, infants generally sleep on their back and side which in itself lowers the risks of SIDS. It is also thought that parents who allow their babies to sleep in their beds with them are in tune with their babies. Many parents who practice sleep sharing have witnessed episodes where an infant has stopped breathing and they are able to arouse their baby. . .because they were right there.

Sleep sharing is not for everyone. Although my husband and I have found that we get the most sleep by sleeping with our infants in our bed or near our bed, I firmly believe every family should figure out the arrangement that allows the most family members to get the most sleep!

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 29 Jun 2006 02:54 PM

good, Valorie. I did a four part series on The Family Bed a few months back. Check it out

Valorie Delp (49340) 29 Jun 2006 07:47 PM

Thanks for the comment Cathy! I looked up the series! Excellent information!

Nola Redd (7081) 30 Apr 2007 05:52 PM

There are some great cosleeping articles in this blog! You are right about the mom getting more sleep. For the first two weeks after all four of my kids come home from the hospital, I always have to check to assure myself they are still breathing; I'm too edgy. Having them right there means I only lightly touch them on the back and then I can go back to sleep, rather than walking into the next room! And thank goodness for co-sleeping when it comes to nursing!

Valorie Delp (49340) 30 Apr 2007 06:19 PM

This is one of the first blogs that I wrote. I was surprised to see how many people co-sleep here. I swear though, co-sleeping saved my life when it came to the twins.

Sara Denomme (1063) 04 May 2007 05:13 PM

I have a friend who cosleeps and it quite literally saved her SON's life. He had severe sleep apnea and an actual sleep-center research scientist told her that she pulled him close to her every time he stopped breathing, which made his breath and heartrate mimick her own. Brought tears to my eyes!

Valorie Delp (49340) 04 May 2007 05:33 PM

This is in fact one of the reasons that that they're starting to say that co-sleeping can prevent SIDS. I'm still waiting for the AAP to catch up though!