Three's (Not) a Crowd: The Pros and Cons of Co-sleeping
Some will tell you right away not to make the 'mistake' of letting your baby sleep in your bed, while others will encourage co-sleeping and feel it's a wonderful thing to do for baby. I personally feel that you should do what's best for your family and whatever gets everyone a good night's rest…even if that means having your child in your bed for three years.
When I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I were determined that our baby would not sleep in our bed with us. We were ready to have her sleep in her crib and in her own room. After many tiresome nights of late-night nursing sessions, we started bringing our baby into our bed - it was just so much easier to nurse her right in bed and go right back to sleep.
Once our daughter grew older, she had trouble sleeping in her own bed and as a toddler, she would frequently wake in the middle of the night screaming - we now believe she was experiencing night terrors. The best way for all of us to get some rest, was to have her sleep in our bed. After trying many things, we gave in and eventually, after she was three-years-old, she did move to her own bed in her room and has had no issues sleeping since then!
Related: 15 little ways to show your kids you love them
Our second child is now two-years-old, and though he's had far less trouble sleeping, he does often climb up into our bed in the middle of the night. We let him, because again, it allows for all of us to get a good night's sleep. That's what it comes down to for us, we just want to sleep!
I asked a few parents if their baby ever slept in their bed (or currently does) and what their thoughts were on having babies sleep in your bed. Here are 5 mom's experiences with having their child sleep in their bed.
Ms. Independent
"We actually had our daughter in our bed from birth until she was two months old, but she was waking up so often that we ended up moving her to her own bed to see if she'd sleep better and she totally did! I guess she was a little too independent for it. I was a little sad that it didn't last for long, because it was a great bonding experience, but it just wasn't for her and I think it's so important to do what's best for you and your family when it comes to sleep. We still snuggle in bed every morning though!" ~ Lauren Hartmann, The Little Things We Do
All Kids are Different
"My oldest did sleep with us. As a matter of fact, he slept with us for about 2 years. My other 2 kids? Never! Crazy how that happens, huh?" ~ Liz Cerezo, Disneylandia al Día
Change of Plans
"Before I became a mom, I thought I would never be the kind of parent who let my child sleep in my bed. Now I just want to sleep through the night. If that means my kid sleeps in my bed - so be it." ~ Lisa Quinones-Fontanez, Autism Wonderland
Respect for Space
"My son is almost three and I periodically let him come in to sleep with his father and I, but I prefer him to sleep in his bed, so we learn to respect each others space, even at a young age. I also have to respect his father's space, so there isn't any emotional competition. Sounds strange, but it can happen." ~ Karen Hudson, MommyNoire
Only Little for a While
"Our little one does tend to sleep with us on a pretty regular basis…Sometimes he will fall asleep in his bed, only to climb into ours in the wee hours of the morning. He is scared to sleep alone, and I can remember feeling the same way as a child…They are only little for a very short amount of time. One day he will not want to show his parents any type of physical affection, much less sleep in our bed; so wrong or right- I am letting him sleep with us." ~ Rosalynda Thorn, Mommy Powers
- By Melanie Edwards
Follow Melanie on Disney Baby
For 6 tips for surviving an all-nighter with your baby, visit Disney Baby!
MORE ON DISNEY BABY
5 "new mom" things I swore I'd never do
The 10 best things about becoming a mom
20 milestones to look forward to during Baby's first year
10 ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy
