Calling all moms! Did/do you co-sleep?

[Cataholic]

We have done it all. Jonah began in my bed- literally on top of my chest, for months. Then, next to me and I would move him into his crib/later bed. Then, for a while, he fell asleep in his own bed, no problem. Then, he wanted to sleep in my bed, and I would lift him into his bed later. Now? Depends on how tired I am, but, he starts in my bed, sometimes with me in it, sometimes on his own. I move him to his bed still. Two nights ago, I went to his bed to sleep. He thought nothing of it when he came to find me in the am.

Whatever works for us we will keep doing.

[caseysmom]

I was like Cataholic with mine too, my youngest did love her crib and would go climb in it when she got bigger. My oldest was always more dependent, its funny they still have those traits.

[Marigold2]

Co-sleep, no never. It is a parents job to teach the child how to grow and learn to take care of themselves, hence birds pushing their babes out of the nest. We teach or children how to speak, read, eat, poop, walk, pay for college and a million and one skills inbetween, why so they can take care of themselves, that is our job. Co-sleeping is more for the parent's comfort then the childs. It's so lovely to hold them while they are sleeping however for the child to learn to be independent and self-sufficient they need their own space, their own room and time with the most important person in their lives, themselves.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Co-sleep, no never. It is a parents job to teach the child how to grow and learn to take care of themselves, hence birds pushing their babes out of the nest. We teach or children how to speak, read, eat, poop, walk, pay for college and a million and one skills inbetween, why so they can take care of themselves, that is our job. Co-sleeping is more for the parent's comfort then the childs. It's so lovely to hold them while they are sleeping however for the child to learn to be independent and self-sufficient they need their own space, their own room and time with the most important person in their lives, themselves.

A lot of co-sleeping advocates will tell you the exact opposite is true. I'll be the first one to tell you that I believe that each child and each family is different and it's important for each family to do what is right for their family. For us that's co-sleeping, for others it's not.

[pomtzu]

It's my feeling, whether the child is 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year - that they need their own space. I've seen children that have slept with their parents, and then when the parents decide it's time to end it, they have a screaming monster on their hands that actually CAN'T sleep by themselves. To me, the parents are just asking for a clingy child that can't function if they're out of sight of one or both parents, and it's reinforcing the child's need for the parents to physically be there in order to sleep.
I'm not saying that ALL children are this way, but I've seen way too many that are. I believe in doing what works for you, but if a new mother was asking my advice/opinion on the issue, I have to urge her not to do it - for the above reasons.

[Grace]

I didn't, and I wouldn't - ever.

In 2007 44 infants died while sleeping with parents, other children or a pet. There was at least one in this state.

[shepgirl]

Nope, never did and never would. Guess I'm from the old school too. I'm a light sleeper and get totally exhausted so I need my space. I too have witnessed children who absolutely refuse to sleep in their own beds after sleeping with the parents. I have a doctor who is absolutely against this also and when my kids were small our other doctor was against it also.
Call me selfish but when I go to bed I want and need my space.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I didn't, and I wouldn't - ever.

In 2007 44 infants died while sleeping with parents, other children or a pet. There was at least one in this state.

How many died sleeping alone in their cribs? Research has shown that co-sleeping actually reduces the risk of SIDS. The biggest cause of SIDS is not suffocation or choking as many assume. SIDS is mostly caused by long pauses in the babies breathing while they are asleep. Research has shown that co-sleeping babies most often breath in harmony with their mothers which reduces the pauses in their breathing and reduces the risk of SIDS.

Co-sleeping does need to be done safely. You don't put your newborn in a crib with a pillow and blanket, nor should you put your newborn in a co-sleeping environment with a pillow and blanket. We also have bedrails on our bed. You need to make sure the mattress fits sung against the headboard, just the same as you would make sure the mattress fits snug against the sides of the crib.

It had surprised me how controversial this issue is...people on one side say that co-sleeping is the only way to have a happy and secure child, and the other side say that if you co-sleep your child will never be independent. Personally, I can't see either side...I am somewhere in the middle (as usual ) I think it's up to each individual child. I know that in many cultures, it is odd to consider a baby having their own room.

Isn't that the truth! Like I've already said, I've very pro co-sleeping, but I do understand and respect that it isn't for every family or every child. I do feel that it deserves the same research, consideration, and thought that new parents put into other issues like vaccinations, circumcision, breast feeding, etc.

[JenBKR]

We have done it all. Jonah began in my bed- literally on top of my chest, for months. Then, next to me and I would move him into his crib/later bed. Then, for a while, he fell asleep in his own bed, no problem. Then, he wanted to sleep in my bed, and I would lift him into his bed later. Now? Depends on how tired I am, but, he starts in my bed, sometimes with me in it, sometimes on his own. I move him to his bed still. Two nights ago, I went to his bed to sleep. He thought nothing of it when he came to find me in the am.

Whatever works for us we will keep doing.

We've gone through the same! Ty had some colic so he slept on top of my chest as well many nights. It seemed to be the only way he was comfortable. We have tried many many things to get him to sleep in his crib...we let him cry some, and it did work. Only one night of some crying, and after that he actually slept in his crib no problem for several months. We thought we had it figured out lol, until I realized that with a baby, that's not possible. Shots, high fever, and teething at the same time changed everything. We tried to let him cry again, but he just stand up in his crib and screams his head off until he makes himself sick. So no more of that.....in our bed, at least we all sleep. We are trying to do some things to transition him back to his own room, but it's slow going.

It had surprised me how controversial this issue is...people on one side say that co-sleeping is the only way to have a happy and secure child, and the other side say that if you co-sleep your child will never be independent. Personally, I can't see either side...I am somewhere in the middle (as usual ) I think it's up to each individual child. I know that in many cultures, it is odd to consider a baby having their own room.