If we were to go back to our roots as Asians, we might find that there was no such term as co-sleeping. That’s because babies always slept close to their mothers and there was nothing really special about that. Now that co-sleeping or putting baby to bed away from you have become items of discussion and debate, perhaps it’s time to pull out all the pros and cons for deliberation’s sake.
When advocates of co-sleeping come together on this matter, they have naturally simple and uncomplicated reasons to conclude that co-sleeping is the best for their babies. The following are some of the reasons for this.
Breastfeeding made easier
While we all know for a fact that being a new mum can be a joyful experience, it is also an exhausting one as well. Taking care of a baby and going about the household chores will take a toll on a new mum and she will need some quality rest whenever she can get some. This is especially so during the night, but the thing is, babies, feed at night too. In regards to this, breastfeeding your baby (the best gift you can give to your child), is easier and simpler if the baby slept with you, in comparison with having to get out of bed and scramble into another room, feed baby, pacify him to go back to sleep and then make your way back to bed, not to forget too, that you’d have to repeat the whole cycle a few more times during the night.
Helps babies sleep better
Sleeping with mum and dad on the bed gives a baby a sense of security and comfort. They tend to fall asleep more easily and go back to sleep more quickly when they wake up during the night too. In the long run, this means more restful sleep during the night for both baby and parents. Plus, for babies who spend the day at a daycare center, it’s a way to regain a sense of closeness and intimacy with their parents.
Physiologically beneficial
Some studies on co-sleeping point to the fact that infants who sleep near to parents have more stable temperatures, regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing compared to babies who sleep alone. On this same page of the matter, co-sleeping babies seem to grow up with higher self-esteem and experience less anxiety. They are more comfortable with affection and seem to do better in school too.
Possibly less sleep for baby and you, though…
Infants are known to toss, turn, burp, and cry in bed. These can be pretty tiring if you’re a light sleeper who’s trying to get some much-needed rest. (Being a new mum, you’ll need that rest!) Plus, owing to your super-attentive tendencies as a mother, you would probably find yourself picking the baby up at the first whimper! This may do more harm than good when it comes to (both of) you get a good night’s sleep.
Less chance for love-making
Let’s face the fact, if you don’t mind or find it perfectly acceptable to let it all hang out with a pair of innocent yet cheeky little eyes staring at you (and the sound of cooing and gurgling going on in the background), well, kudos to you! However, if you’re like most couples, passion isn’t going to flow freely unless either baby or you are in another room.
The debate goes on
Studies on co-sleeping and nighttime wakings and how they affect the happiness of both parents have this interesting fact to reveal: In cases where both parents felt good about the sleeping arrangement, parents who sleep with their babies are typically as happy as parents with babies sleeping in their rooms.
