Is sleeping with a baby a mistake?

Sleeping with a baby in the same bed has been controversial for years. In fact, there are many experts in this field, and as many parents as many opinions. As we all know very well – no two people in the world are the same, each child has a different character and needs. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether sleeping with a child in one bed is good or not, so today we will discuss some interesting aspects in favor of this practice – feel free to read on!

With a baby in one bed

There are theories that say that an infant sleeping with his parents wakes up at night much less often compared to babies sleeping in their own beds. The toddler then feels the closeness of the parents, which he badly needs during the first months of life – the warmth and smell of the mother’s skin are extremely important to him and give him a sense of security. What’s more, this is a noteworthy solution not only for the peace of mind of the baby, but also for the well-being of the newlywed parents. Countless sleepless nights and permanent fatigue can be really exhausting. Every uninterrupted hour of sleep can therefore help you function normally. If the baby, thanks to the shared nights, will sleep more peacefully and wake up less, it is definitely worth considering this option.

Many parents who decide on the above solution have concerns about the small size of the baby – they are afraid that they may unknowingly harm their child while sleeping. Generally, in such cases, there is said to be a certain self-control that works subconsciously and inhibits all unwanted movements. If, on the other hand, the fear is so strong that it does not allow the parent to fall asleep peacefully, then it is worth considering the purchase of a special bedside booster. This is a very convenient and safe solution, which allows you to maintain proximity, but protects the baby from falling or potentially crushing. An extra bed is nothing more than a specially designed crib that can be moved closer to the bed, thus creating a single unit. External barriers will ensure safety, and the parent will be able to sleep peacefully in the company of the toddler. Happy and sleepy parents will have more energy, as well as the joy of motherhood.

What if the baby gets used to it?

This is probably one of the first questions that arises when considering co-sleeping. The truth is that these are often fears that were ingrained in us by our parents and grandparents. They believed that a child sleeping together with his parents was a parental failure. Nothing could be further from the truth – babies need their parents’ closeness and there is nothing wrong with that. If the toddler is clearly signaling that falling asleep at mom’s side is easier for him, then for our own good we should listen to these signals. Strenuously trying to put the baby in the crib against his will can be very exhausting due to sleep problems and frequent awakenings. Of course, there are some infants who fall asleep in their cribs without any problems – but this is only a small percentage.

After some time, you can start to change the previous habits and try to put the baby in his own bed. Such a process may take a while, but don’t worry – the older your child is, the more willing he will be to sleep in his own room, surrounded by his own things and toys. This is a completely natural process that is not worth fearing or forcefully accelerating. The baby will most likely wake up during the night and wander to the parents’ bed, but after a while this frequency decreases, until eventually the toddler will sleep through the night in his own room.

Does age matter?

How long can an infant sleep with his parents in one bed? So far, no studies have been conducted on this topic – there are only some theories, which are not supported by any specifics. One child will prefer to sleep with his parents until the age of three, while another will start sleeping through the nights in his own bed after a few months. This is a very individual issue. The most important thing is not to close yourself to the proposed options. If parents really want the baby to sleep in its own crib from birth, but see that this solution does not work, they should first use a infant horn or a wrapper. Such alternatives to the classic quilt do an excellent job of replicating the place where the little one used to be – mom’s belly, where it was warm and cozy. A wrap or a swaddle will limit the baby’s sudden movements and make it calm and peaceful to fall asleep. If even such methods fail, consider placing the baby at mom’s side. What is an example of two years of sleeping together compared to two years of sleepless nights? Insomnia can lead to serious health consequences and very negatively affect your relationship with your partner.

It is worth looking for hints on the Internet, watching or reading how-to guides. Listening to the advice and experiences of other parents can also be helpful. Among all these solutions and ways, there may be one that works for your child. However, it should be remembered that there are no golden rules of motherhood that work absolutely for everyone – children are completely different, have different characters and needs. Each parent should closely observe their child and draw their own conclusions, based on which, they will create their own ideal way of doing things.