Gina Johnson
The topic of whether newborns should sleep with their mothers is a highly controversial one. Many doctors in the U.S. advise against the practice, stating that it puts infants at risk of sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation. On the other hand, some researchers and parents argue that co-sleeping promotes bonding, makes nighttime nursing easier, and helps children feel safe and secure. While some cultures view co-sleeping as cruel and dangerous, others have practiced it for centuries, and it continues to be widespread, with approximately 40% of documented cultures traditionally bed-sharing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Survival | Newborns have slept with their mothers for more than 200,000 years |
| Health | Mothers and newborns influence each other's heart rates, brain waves, sleep states, oxygen levels, temperature, and breathing |
| Breastfeeding | Co-sleeping makes it easier for the breastfeeding parent to nurse throughout the night |
| Safety | Co-sleeping increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation |
| Culture | Bed-sharing is a tradition in at least 40% of all documented cultures |
| Psychology | Co-sleeping promotes bonding and helps children feel safe |
| Practicality | Co-sleeping offers convenience by keeping parents physically close by to respond to the baby's needs at night |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of co-sleeping
The topic of newborns sleeping with their mother is a highly controversial one, with passionate advocates and detractors on both sides of the debate. However, there are several purported benefits of co-sleeping, which is defined as any situation where the infant and parent are within sensory range of each other. Here are some of the key advantages:
Breastfeeding
Co-sleeping makes breastfeeding more convenient, as the baby is in close proximity to the mother, allowing for easier nighttime feedings without the need for getting up. Breastfeeding has multiple benefits for both the baby and mother, and co-sleeping can strengthen this practice. Nursing helps babies learn to latch better, making them confident feeders, and it also helps maintain a healthy milk supply for mothers, especially those who work outside the home.
Bonding and Attachment
Co-sleeping promotes the release of oxytocin, the love hormone, which plays a vital role in bonding and attachment. It also allows parents to quickly respond to their baby's needs, helping the child develop a sense of security and trust. Babies who co-sleep show minimal distress when a parent leaves and are always happy to see their return.
Safety and Protection
For most of human history, co-sleeping was the norm, as it provided safety and protection for the baby. The close physical contact helps babies maintain a stable body temperature and breathe more regularly, using energy more efficiently, growing faster, and experiencing less stress. Co-sleeping also allows parents to monitor their baby's breathing and quickly respond to any issues, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Sleep Quality
While co-sleeping can result in more frequent wakings for both parents and babies, it can also lead to improved sleep quality overall. Babies are more likely to rouse easily and settle back to sleep without fully waking or crying. Additionally, the lighter sleep cycles associated with co-sleeping are important for synaptogenesis, the rapid growth of connections between neurons in newborns.
It is important to note that co-sleeping should be done safely, and there are several risk factors to consider, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and the use of certain medications. Parents should follow guidelines and recommendations from trusted sources to ensure a safe co-sleeping environment.
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The risks of co-sleeping
While some believe that co-sleeping is a biological necessity, with babies requiring their mother's and father's bodies, there are also risks associated with co-sleeping that should be considered. Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. The risk of sleep-related infant death while co-sleeping is five to ten times higher when the baby is younger than four months old, and the risk is also higher for babies who were born prematurely or with low birth weight.
Parents who drink or do drugs should not sleep with their babies as they could roll over onto their child. Additionally, babies whose parents smoke should not sleep in the parental bed due to potential respiratory problems and an increased risk of SUDI. Suffocation can also occur when babies sleep on sofas, recliners, chairs, or water beds, as they can be trapped between a parent and the cushions.
To reduce the risks of co-sleeping, it is recommended to keep the baby's sleep space clear of any items that could cause suffocation or strangulation, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and jewellery. It is also important to ensure that the mattress is firm, flat, and level, and that the baby is placed on their back, away from the edge of the bed and next to only one parent.
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Cultural and historical perspectives on co-sleeping
Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, is a common practice across many cultures. It is a tradition in at least 40% of all documented cultures, and over 70% of the world's population still co-sleeps. However, it has been a controversial topic in Western culture, with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommending against it due to concerns about sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation.
From an anthropological and evolutionary perspective, co-sleeping is seen as an essential part of human infant evolution, with potential physiological benefits for both the mother and the infant. Professor James McKenna, of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame, argues that breastfeeding and mother-infant co-sleeping have co-evolved and are inextricably linked. He suggests that human maternal and infant biology likely co-evolved in a context of close physical contact, with breastfeeding acting as a "hidden regulator" of infant sleep.
Co-sleeping provides infants with sensory access and physiological regulation, including the delivery and ingestion of breast milk. It is also common among primates, with human infants being especially vulnerable and dependent at birth due to their relatively small brain volume. This vulnerability may have led to infants sleeping near or on their mothers' bodies for feeding and nurturing during evolution.
In some cultures, it is even considered cruel to separate a mother and baby at night. For example, Mayan mothers in Guatemala expressed shock and pity when they heard that some American babies sleep away from their mothers. However, in Western societies, it is more common for mothers and infants to sleep apart, indicating a possible "mismatch" between cultural norms and infant biology.
The controversy surrounding co-sleeping has led to challenges in providing culturally sensitive and non-judgmental advice to parents. Pediatricians are now encouraged to have open conversations with families about their individual preferences, sleep patterns, and environments to provide the best guidance for safe sleep practices.
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The impact of co-sleeping on breastfeeding
The topic of newborn babies sleeping with their mothers is a highly debated one, with strong opinions on both sides. While some sources claim that co-sleeping is a biological necessity, others highlight the risks associated with the practice, particularly the risk of sleep-related deaths.
The Benefits of Co-Sleeping for Breastfeeding
Co-sleeping is defined as the parent and child sleeping in the same bed or in the same room, even if they sleep in different beds. Proponents of co-sleeping argue that it facilitates breastfeeding and is associated with more frequent and longer breastfeeding durations. Breastfeeding, in turn, has been associated with a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Co-sleeping allows mothers to breastfeed more often, providing more nutrition for their developing infants. Additionally, the stimulation of the nipple during suckling is necessary for the production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk secretion.
Research has also demonstrated that the Eastern interconnectedness model, which includes co-sleeping and breastfeeding, fosters independence and well-being to a greater degree than simply forcing children to be independent. For example, Sami children, who are more likely to co-sleep with their parents, were found to be more independent and less demanding than Norwegian children who typically sleep alone.
The Risks of Co-Sleeping
Despite the benefits of co-sleeping for breastfeeding, there are significant risks associated with the practice. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other organizations have long recommended that parents avoid any bed-sharing to prevent SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths, such as accidental suffocation and accidental strangulation. About 3,700 babies in the U.S. die each year from sleep-related causes. While co-sleeping may be beneficial for breastfeeding, the risk of sleep-related death increases with the duration of bed-sharing.
While co-sleeping has been shown to have a positive impact on breastfeeding rates and duration, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with the practice. More research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between co-sleeping and breastfeeding, as well as the cultural and social norms that influence sleeping arrangements. Ultimately, parents should make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances and preferences, while also taking into account the recommendations of healthcare professionals to ensure the safety of their infants.
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Alternatives to co-sleeping
While some mothers and babies have shared a bed for more than 200,000 years, co-sleeping is not for everyone. The practice goes against medical advice in the US, with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommending that co-sleeping "should be avoided at all times" with a full-term, normal-weight infant younger than four months. The AAP cites the risk of sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation.
- Room-sharing: The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents or caregivers but on a separate sleep surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or play yard. This arrangement is ideal for the first six months to a year. Room-sharing allows you to keep your baby close by, making it easier to respond to their needs during the night, whether it be feeding or comforting. It also reduces the risk of SIDS by as much as half, according to the AAP.
- Safe sleep environment: Whether your baby sleeps in the same room or a separate room, ensure that their sleep environment is safe. The baby should sleep on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a space that is clear of any loose bedding, blankets, pillows, toys, or other items that could cause suffocation or obstruct their airways. The sleep environment should also be smoke-free and not too hot.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you choose to breastfeed your baby in bed, it is essential to put them back in their separate sleeping area as soon as they finish nursing.
- Baby carriers: If you are concerned about bonding, baby carriers can be a great way to promote closeness and connection with your baby during the day.
- Skin-to-skin cuddle time: Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is a safe way to bond with your baby and can be done at any time, not just during sleep.
- Other bonding activities: Bonding with your baby happens through everyday interactions, such as looking them in the eye, talking to them, and smiling. Playing and reading together can also strengthen your bond.
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Frequently asked questions
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs on a firm mattress in their own crib or bassinet, with no blankets, sheets, pillows, or other items. The AAP and many doctors in the U.S. oppose bed-sharing due to the risk of sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and accidental strangulation. However, some researchers argue that the U.S. should reassess its recommendation, as bed-sharing is a tradition in many cultures and may have benefits for breastfeeding and bonding.
Proponents of bed-sharing argue that it promotes bonding, helps children feel safe, and makes nighttime nursing easier. Bed-sharing can also provide convenience for parents, as it allows them to respond quickly to their baby's needs and makes it easier for breastfeeding parents to nurse throughout the night. Additionally, some researchers suggest that bed-sharing may have biological advantages, as it allows parents to regulate their baby's heart rate, body temperature, and breathing.
To reduce the risks of bed-sharing, parents should use a firm mattress and remove pillows, comforters, blankets, loose sheets, and anything else from the infant's sleep area that could lead to suffocation or difficulty breathing. It is also recommended to place the baby on their back and ensure they cannot fall off the bed or become trapped between the bed and another object. Parents should also be aware of the duration of bed-sharing, as the risk of sleep-related death increases with longer bed-sharing.
