I know that people have strong feelings for and against the practice. Some people argue that co-sleeping is beneficial because it is easier to breastfeed in the middle of the night. It gives mom and baby an extra chance to bond. It helps baby sleep for longer stretches during the night. It reduces stress hormones. Some people argue that co-sleeping is a dangerous practice because of suffocation dangers.
I agree with both sides. Sleeping next to my baby is one of my favorite activities. A sweet-smelling, tiny and cuddly hot water bottle curled up next to me all night long? Yes please! I don't think I've gotten a good night sleep since Bean was born. We have been sleeping together since day 1. Yes, even while still in the hospital I co-slept with my baby. But the dangers are not lost on me. I've been acutely aware of my actions during sleeping. In the beginning, Bean slept in a little bed that fit between Hubby and me. Then when she got older and too big for the little bed she slept with us in the bed. . . . And she slept with us until last weekend.
Now, I'm not all Mayim Bialik about co-sleeping. I loved it, but I have no aversion to Bean sleeping in her own spot. We started co-sleeping because we didn't have a crib. Then when we did get a crib, we were too stinkin' lazy to set it up. We didn't intend to become co-sleepers. It just happened.
While the last few nights of actually getting to sleep next to my husband, and getting to sleep in a normal position and not curled up all strange so the blankets wouldn't cover Bean's head have been great, I miss waking up to Bean smacking me or kicking me in the face while she stirs in the morning, and I miss seeing her sweet little Mona Lisa smile she first wakes up.
Co-sleeping is not something you have to do. It's something you get to do. There are so many different ways to be a parent. If your baby is clean, happy, fed and loved you're doing a good job. There are many different ways to get there, and as long as you get there, you're doing it right.
Co-sleep. Don't co-sleep. It's up to you. Whatever works for your family. I'm glad she's in her own crib now, but I miss her.
I could never co-sleep with The Boy even if I wanted to. We tried sharing a bed when we all went on vacation last year. It as a huge fail. No one slept, and we were all grouchy. We used to nap together on the couch, though, and I loved that.
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