Getting a baby to sleep at night can be hard, so it’s no surprise a lot of parents choose to bring their little one into their bed. There are pros and cons to this practice, which are worth considering if you’re finding yourself conflicted about what to do:
Pros:
Extra time with baby
Sharing a bed with your baby allows for extra bonding time, which is always a plus.
Sharing a bed with your baby allows for extra bonding time, which is always a plus.
Breastfeeding
When you’re breastfeeding, is much more comfortable to do it in bed. Babies who sleep with their parents tend to feed for longer, but it’s easier to go back to sleep once they’re finished.
When you’re breastfeeding, is much more comfortable to do it in bed. Babies who sleep with their parents tend to feed for longer, but it’s easier to go back to sleep once they’re finished.
Better sleep
Babies who sleep in their parents’ beds tend to wake less during the night. No one could complain about this.
Quick response
Being close to your baby at night means you’re there straight away, if they stir or cry. They tend to cry less for this reason.
Being close to your baby at night means you’re there straight away, if they stir or cry. They tend to cry less for this reason.
Cons:
Safety
You need to be aware of your baby’s safety when you’re sharing a bed. Babies under six months in particular can overheat from the duvet. Also if you or your partner have been drinking you may be less responsive or forget the baby is there. You should never co-sleep with a premature or low weight baby as it can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
You need to be aware of your baby’s safety when you’re sharing a bed. Babies under six months in particular can overheat from the duvet. Also if you or your partner have been drinking you may be less responsive or forget the baby is there. You should never co-sleep with a premature or low weight baby as it can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Trouble sleeping elsewhere
If your baby is used to sharing a bed with you, he or she might find it difficult to sleep when staying at their grandparents or with a friend.
If your baby is used to sharing a bed with you, he or she might find it difficult to sleep when staying at their grandparents or with a friend.
Difficult transition
You’re not going to be able to share a bed forever, and the transition from your bed to their own bed can be very difficult.
You’re not going to be able to share a bed forever, and the transition from your bed to their own bed can be very difficult.
Your love life
No more spontaneous love making while you’re sharing the bed with your baby, and this may start to wear thin after a while.
No more spontaneous love making while you’re sharing the bed with your baby, and this may start to wear thin after a while.
Your own sleep
Knowing that your baby is in your bed means you will be more conscious of where you lie during the night, and it might affect your own night’s sleep.
Knowing that your baby is in your bed means you will be more conscious of where you lie during the night, and it might affect your own night’s sleep.
