What are the advantages of co-sleeping?
Everyone sleeps better! How’s that for a big advantage? A parent (usually mom) doesn’t have to get out of bed to attend to his/her child’s nighttime needs (i.e. nighttime feedings, diaper changes, extra cuddling). Babies also go back to sleep much more quickly because they aren’t left to cry long enough to really fully awaken from sleep. A drawn-out bedtime ritual doesn’t have to be developed to get your children to sleep – usually you end up asleep as well and somewhere much less comfortable than your own bed (i.e. chair, sofa, or floor of your child’s room). Because of the simplicity of the task, and because they know their parents will be near, children don’t fight going to bed; they don’t see sleep as the enemy. Children that sleep with their parents are also more securely attached; if you must be away from your child during the day, co-sleeping offers a way to really reconnect with your child.
