Sleep & Settling

11 Reasons I Think Co-Sleeping is Awesome, Even if Some Experts (or Husbands) Think Otherwise

120 Shares

We all like sleeping in a bed with no one touching us once in a while. But when you have kids, it’s often hard to convince your kids to let you sleep without them.

Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, even some school-aged kids, like being close to mum all the time, especially at night.

And, let’s be honest, it’s nice to have our kids close by. Or sprawled out on top of us.

Yes, co-sleeping can be a cause for concern if not done properly, especially if your wee one is under the age of two. But, if you follow the co-sleeping guidelines, then it’s deemed safer and even recommended by some health professionals.

Whether you’re a co-sleeper by choice or by necessity, have a look at the reasons why it’s okay to co-sleep with your little one, even if not everyone in society, or your household, is convinced.

co-sleeping Peta Tuck
Image via Peta Tuck

1. It gives our kids comfort

Sometimes, having your warm body next to them at night helps children feel safe and get a better night’s sleep.

2. It teaches us how to sleep in any position

And with limited space. It’s basically like yoga. But at night.

3. It means less beds to make and less sheets to wash

One bed takes less time to make and less effort to wash than two or more. No mathematician is going to argue with this logic. Or any mum who hates washing.

4. It eliminates the need to play musical beds every night

Which is pretty much the worst nighttime game in the history of ever.

5. It means you can roll over and feed

If you’re still breastfeeding, co-sleeping is the easiest way to get through those night feeds. Rolling over is much easier than getting up 15 times a night to comfort bub. There are co-sleeping cradles that slot in safely right next to your bed if you prefer to give baby their own space.

co-sleeping

6. It lets you wake up to a sweet squishy sleeping face and cheeky grin every morning

Best things to wake up to.

7. It reduces your fear that something is wrong

We’ve all woken up after a decent stint of uninterrupted sleep and immediately assumed the worst. Having your wee one beside you to co-sleep means you can easily check that all is good, roll over and go back to sleep.

8. It promotes closeness and a sense of security

No, you’re not setting your child up to fail by sharing a bed. Many studies actually suggest co-sleeping is helping your child’s development. Then again, many studies suggest the complete opposite.

mum central
Image via David Brinkley

So ignore ALL the studies. And go with what’s in your heart. Do you feel close to your child when she’s asleep beside you? Does she seem content when she’s asleep beside you?

Thought so.

9. It’s in our nature to do so 

You know that motherly instinct to protect your baby, no matter what. It’s a lot easier to keep them protected when they are thisclose to you. Which is why many mums struggle so much with having bub sleep in the other room – it’s in our DNA to want to be with our babies. Day and night.

10. It means the kids actually sleep

And don’t wake up every 45 minutes calling out for you or wandering down the hallway in search of you.

11. Finally, for some families, it just makes sense 

Parents don’t usually sleep alone. We co-sleep with our significant others, who probably snore and steal the blankets.

co-sleeping

So why are kids expected to sleep alone? Children need the comfort and reassurance that monsters don’t exist, that darkness isn’t bad and that the weird noise outside is just a bird, more so than adults.

To the mums who do choose to co-sleep, keep these thoughts in mind the next time your little one crawls into bed beside you because he is scared. Or accidentally kicks you in the head in his sleep. If it works for you and your kids, then that’s all that matters.

If you looking to slowly wean your wee ones out of your bed, then check out this awesome pop-up bed tent which just may keep your kids in their own beds, all night long. 

And if you’re sick of playing tug-of-war with the doona, then here’s a brilliant Sleep Week offer just for Mum Central readers.

mum central

Our friends at ergoPouch are giving Mum Central readers 15% off ergoPouch products using code ‘SLEEPWEEK2018’. Valid until Sunday, 18 March, 2018. Happy Sleep Week!

120 Shares
Avatar of Jenna Galley

Born and raised in Canada, Jenna now lives in Far North Queensland with her tribe. When the mum-of-three is not writing, you can find her floating in the pool, watching princess movies, frolicking on the beach, bouncing her baby to sleep or nagging her older kids to put on their pants.

Write A Comment

Share via
Copy link