One of the most controversial issues regarding parenting is the concern of co sleeping. A lot of parents and professional will agree on the topic, while others will not. However, there is nobody who will be certain whether this method is really good for their babies or not.
Several parents are struggling with the concern of enabling their baby to sleep on their bed along with them. Some proponents of co sleeping highlight that the hazards of a baby sleeping on an adult’s bed are said to be exaggerated. In fact, a lot of cultures around several countries have participated within the practice for years. Some opponents disagree that there are risks inherent in co sleeping which must not be neglected. That is why it is very important to weigh in co sleeping pros and cons.
The Pros of Co Sleeping
The proponents of co sleeping have suggested some particular advantages of the practice. These advantages primarily include the following:
1. Co sleeping with your child may actually establish strong attachment or bond between you and your baby.
2. The practice may also provide a parent with faster access to her baby in case of emergency, like halt of breathing.
3. With co sleeping, a mother will be allowed with easier breast feeding process. At night, it could be less disrupting for both the baby and mother when they are in one bed.
4. The warm and close contact could assist the baby from falling asleep quicker and rest more soundly.
5. Some co sleeping proponents even argue that the practice can actually lessen risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) since parents are likely to get up when the baby suffers from loss of breath.
The Cons of Co Sleeping
Even with some advantages, co sleeping also draws several disadvantages. These disadvantages may include the following:
1. Risk of rolling on top of the child and suffocating, or otherwise leaving the baby injured.
2. Risk of having the baby rolled off of the bed.
3. Issue about the baby not liking to stop sleeping within the bed of their parents.
4. Co sleeping with a baby may also draw problems on the intimate or sexual relation of the parents. With a baby lying beside means that partners can no longer perform whatever it is they want at night.
5. The concern of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is another disadvantage of co sleeping.
To be certain, some researches do support such objections. In particular, the SIDS concern seems to be a very significant one since more SIDS researches state that co sleeping is a specific risk factor.
However, even with these disadvantages, if you think that they are overweighed with the advantages of the practice, the decision will then greatly depend on your preferences. But then, you have to make sure that the welfare of you baby is placed on your highest priority.
If you are finding it hard to decide, looking at the details mentioned above can be a great place to start. Be sure to know what you want for your child to make the decision making even easier.
