Bed sharing is a controversial parenting topic. The benefits of co-sleeping far outweigh that entire hullabaloo about SIDS.Why it that a lot of well-meaning doctors are scaring parents with big words such as infant death and whatnot? Decades have passed, and yet theclamor about co-sleepingperils has never gone down. Are we not being told the truth? For the benefit of all those confused parents out there, let me share with you why co-sleeping matters.

1. Co-sleeping reduces the incidence of SIDS

It was the West that had demonized co-sleeping; and it the same society that had seen increased incidence of childhood obesity, hyperactivity, and higher infant mortality. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rate is the lowest in cultures where bed sharing is the norm. In countries where mother-infant co-sleeping is common, cases of infant crib death are such rare occasions.

Latest researches have proven that babies who tend to sleep alone in a separate room have increased therisk for SIDS and other health disorders. A mothers proximity to her child regulates the infants sleep state, breathing, arousal, body temperatureand even heart rate.

2. Co-sleeping is safer than sleeping alone

As a mother, I would rather go and do what I feel is right. Notwithstanding that sore arm in the morning, I can say that my baby and I have slept better when we are together.

Babies are used to the wombs pulsating rhythm and internal temperature. These newborns naturally crave that snug swaddle and familiar warmth. They are hardwired to fear to sleep alone in a cold room without stimulation. Babies sleep better when they feel secure and safe.

3. Co-sleeping improves maternal health

You might say that motherhood is all about sacrifice. But what if there is a better way to parent without losing that much-needed sleep and sanity? Sleepwalking into the nursery in the wee hours of the morning is difficult. It disrupts a mothers sleep, making her less alert and responsive come daytime.

In the long run, lack of sleep makes mothers scatterbrained. Chronic sleep deficit contributes to maternal weight gain and can exacerbate postpartum depression. It also gives rise to other illnesses because the lack of sleep stresses the big body time. Co-sleeping helps mothers to sleep longer and better.

4. Co-sleeping promotes breastfeeding

Babies need to breastfeed at various times during the night. It is a struggle to wake up when you are just starting to visit dreamland, just because your baby is crying. But you have no choice, so you walk and scoop the baby off his crib. Youve got to breastfeed him while both of you is half asleep. Before you know it, you dozed off while holding thebaby in your arms. Your body asks to sleep, and you cant help it.

You can predict right now what will happen next. Either you drop your baby down the floor, or you wake with a jolt, feeling guilty like shit. Yet you know that you dont have much choice. If you dont heed that cries down the hall, your baby will go hungry for hours. Your little one will likely just cry himself to sleep unless you are just at arms reach.

If this sounds like you, then there is a better way. With co-sleeping, you can just pop out your breasts while lying down and return to sleep while your baby is nursing. Its intimate, its natural, and there are no feeding bottles and milk spills to bother. Breastfeeding round-the-clock will ensure that your milk wont dry up.

5. Co-sleeping makes for independent and emotionally-adjusted kids

A baby that is left to himself isolated in a nursery room tends to experience feelings of separation and stress. This nightly assault to an infants delicate body and psyche can result in lifelong anxiety. Children are more sensitive to stress brought about by isolation; it can even trigger exacerbation of a preexisting health condition.

In addition to emotional benefits, babies, and mothers who co-sleep tend to thrive better. A child that is enveloped nightly on that familiar warmth and embrace will feel more secured. Kids who co-sleep tend to grow healthier: getting bigger, and develop faster emotionally and intellectually than those babies left to sleep alone.

Contrary to popular belief, co-sleeping will not make your child clingy and dependent. With bed sharing, the opposite is true. It is surprising because kids who co-sleep tend to develop independence and confidence earlier than babies who sleep alone. These toddlers are more composed and are less likely to throw a fit or to resort to thumb sucking. They are less likely to get too attached to comfort blankets and security objects.

Conclusion

Children who are raised by supportive parents are moreapt to grow as caring and self-sufficient adults. There is no better way into parent-child intimacy than with co-sleeping. No fancy nursery can ever compare to a parents warmth. Kids can grow quickly. Tender snuggle momentswil never last forever, but at least I know that it will have a positive effect on my children now and even when they had grown older.