Im a fan of controversy. I like to get people thinking. So, Im going to post "Hot Button Topis" (Or HBT). Ill bring up an issue, give a few theories and facts, and let you loose. I think this will be a good thing and maybe people can learn a thing or two. Just please remember that while is is perfectly alright to debate and comment- it is NOT ok to be disrespectful or mean.
Todays Hot Button Issue is Co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is a practice in which babies and young children sleep in close proximity to one or both parents, as opposed to a separate room. In some cultures its a natural thing all families do and theres no question in the matter. In the US theres a big debate on the subject.
If you ask professionals youre likely to get strong advice one way or the other. When I was pregnant I was absolutely, 100% never going to sleep in the same bed as my child. you couldnt convince me otherwise for any amount of money. I was too scared of rolling over on her or smothering her in blankets. Im ashamed to say it, but I judged people who did. In my mind they were putting their children at risk.Once Delaney was born I was considering the pros and cons. I let her sleep in the hospital with me and fell in love with it. Some benefits of co-sleeping were the fact that breastfeeding was made easier and better sleep for everyone. Some cons were the risk of smothering a child and having a hard time weaning the child to their own bed when you decide its time.
My pediatrician strongly advised me not to do it. His only concern was ending up with a 10 year old who refused to sleep in her own bed. Every visit was the same.... while adjusting his eyes to read Delaneys chart he would say in a parently stern manner "Now, is Delaney sleeping in her own bed yet? Hmm?" I would be honest and tell him she wasnt and he would spend the majority of her visit telling me I had to put her in a room by herself, shut the door and let her cry until she fell asleep.
I tried this. It was one of the hardest things Ive ever done. I tried it at naptime because I didnt want to be the neighbor in the apartment complex with the kid that screams for hours. She never once put herself to sleep and I let her cry for almost 2 hours once. This definitely can work for some families (This will be another post Im sure) but it just didnt work for mine. So, co-sleep we did.
At (almost) 18 months old now we still sleep in the same bed for part of every night. Its important for us to have a bedtime routine so she knows its time to relax. Then as she drifts to sleep I put her in her crib. She may sleep in there 4 hours or 20 minutes, but every night she ends up in bed with me. I dont mind, we both sleep well. She takes naps by herself and its almost always in the big bed.
The decision to co-sleep is entirely up to the parents and the parents alone. What works for me and my family may not work for you and yours. In my case I found Dr Sears to be extremely helpful and his website alone answered most of the questions I had. If you are considering co-sleeping or have questions I would highly recommend his site.
As for Miss Delaney.... (who does not have her own room right now) we're going to take it one day at a time. When we move and she gets her own room Im hoping itll be easier to wean her. ("Hoping" being the key word!)
I know you all have opinions on this. Whether you agree, disagree or have a "to each their own" attitude, I want to hear from all of you reading this. What do you think about co-sleeping? Have you done it? Would you if you dont have children now?
Ready, Set..... GO!
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/co-sleeping-yes-no-sometimes
http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/cosleeping.aspxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-sleeping
2 comments:
I did with both of my children. With Kyle (now 18} it was hard to make the move from my bed to his own but at about 3 1/2 it was done. Lots of tears, crying, and kicking but it finally happened. With Breann (almost 9 now) it was fairly easy. All in all I wouldn't change any of it. Co-sleeping or as it was called back in the day "the family bed" I believe benefits both parent(s) and child.
My son was 13 weeks premature, so when he finally came home he was two months old and very used to sleeping alone - plus he had to be attached to a heart monitor, so cosleeping was a no-no. I don't think I will cosleep with my next child, but I could always change my mind. I'm neutral on this topic. :)
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