Disclaimer: please consult your doctor to determine if co-sleeping/bed-sharing is right for you, and to discuss possible risks. We do not recommend co-sleeping/bed-sharing in accordance with the AAP's safest practices.
When you become a parent there are going to be hundreds of things that other parents will shame you about. You will get shamed about how you feed your child, what diapers you use (if you use disposable you hate the environment apparently). Parents will question why you chose to circumcise and some moms will even get mad at you for using the wrong type of diaper rash creme, because apparently that affects them in some way. One of the most debated topics among parents is how one decides to sleep. If you proudly tell somebody that you co-sleep with your child you might be accused of being irresponsible for sharing your bed with your infant. It is important to know that bed-sharing and co-sleeping are two different things.
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There are actual multiple ways that you can co-sleep with your baby. Many people consider co-sleeping to be you having your baby lay right next to you. But, there are other ways that you can successfully co-sleep with your baby without sharing a bed with them. James McKenna
McKenna goes on to say that due to variety of behaviors that are under the co-sleeping umbrella, "we are faced with the difficult task of agreeing that, while not all forms of co-sleeping are safe, not all forms of co-sleeping are dangerous either." He suggests that not all co-sleeping is dangerous even if you choose to sleep in the same bed as your infant. For example, "some medical authorities mistakenly state that co-sleeping is dangerous, when they really mean to say that couch or sofa co-sleeping is dangerous (which is always true), or that bed-sharing is dangerous (which may or may not be true, depending on how it is practiced)."
He points out that there is no one right way to co-sleep with your baby. He does admit that whether or not you sleep in the same surface, or just in the same room "remember that no one knows your baby better than you, and no one can anticipate and respond to the immediate needs of your baby as well as you. I like to point out that forms of co-sleeping are likely as diverse as the cultures practicing them." He also points out that co-sleep can be an evolving process throughout the night. The baby might start out in the crib, go to the bed, and then go to a bassinet all in one night. The most important part is that the child's needs are met.
MCkenna says that the best thing to do is make sure that you are practicing safe co-sleep. He says, "Creating a safe co-sleeping environment for your infant may require considerable effort, but these efforts can lead to enormous rewards. It is important to consider the positive impact that the type of co-sleeping you choose can have on establishing and maintaining a close bond (especially for parents who are away from their baby many hours during the day), and how it is especially beneficial in supporting the breastfeeding relationship."
If you would like to learn more about this topic you can order the entire book; Safe Infant Sleep.
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