The co sleeping option is talked in hushed tones in private conversations under soundproof basements similar to old style speakeasies.
Mothers from western societies hide this secret in fear of being ridiculed and ostrasised. But there are heaps of advantages to co sleeping, aside from the fact that you won’t lose sleep because it solves those middle of the night feeds.
Here are some bits and pieces of information about co sleeping:
“Stress hormones are lower in mothers and babies who co-sleep, specifically the balance of the stress hormone cortisol. In studies with animals, infants who stayed close to their mothers had higher levels of growth hormones and enzymes necessary for brain and heart growth. The physiology of co-sleeping babies is more stable, including more stable temperatures, more regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing than babies who sleep alone”.
“Co-sleeping is standard practice in many parts of the world. In long-term follow-up studies of infants who slept with their parents and those who slept alone, the children who co-slept were happier, less anxious, had higher self-esteem, were less likely to be afraid of sleep, had fewer behavioural problems, tended to be more comfortable with intimacy, and were generally more independent as adults.”
Be it a battle of facts or culture, the point is there is no shame in co sleeping. There should be no stigma attached to it. It is a personal choice and as long as the family is happy with it, then others who think otherwise should just go with their own choices.
For guidelines on safe co sleeping, check Ask Dr Sear’s website.
