It is becoming more fashionable these days to co-sleep. Co sleeping is accepted as a "norm" in Asian countries, and becoming part of "attachment parenting" in the West. Co sleeping has it's attractions and, as with every parenting style, those who believe it is the best possible thing to do, and those who warn of the dangers. There should be in all things a balance. Co sleeping while breast feeding an infant has benefits for mother and child. There should be a recognised time when co-sleeping is no longer an option.
A recent study reported in the Sleep Science Review journal looked at the effects of adult behaviour on infant sleep. Parental behaviours, particularly related to bedtime routines and interactions are recognised as having an effect on infant sleep patterns. It appears that parental personality, and related views on parenting, and emotions. contribute to parental sleep-related behaviours. This ultimately influences infant sleep. These links are effective in both directions, and they are dynamic. This means that poor infant sleep may influence parental behaviours, and poor infant sleep is recognised as being a family stressor and a risk factor for maternal depression.
In another study by Professor Mindell, it is reported that both mum and child.miss out on one stage of sleep when they co-sleep. There is certainly room for more work, looking at the effects of missing this stage of sleep, and at the effects of co sleeping which is prolonged beyond 6-9 months.
A recent study reported in the Sleep Science Review journal looked at the effects of adult behaviour on infant sleep. Parental behaviours, particularly related to bedtime routines and interactions are recognised as having an effect on infant sleep patterns. It appears that parental personality, and related views on parenting, and emotions. contribute to parental sleep-related behaviours. This ultimately influences infant sleep. These links are effective in both directions, and they are dynamic. This means that poor infant sleep may influence parental behaviours, and poor infant sleep is recognised as being a family stressor and a risk factor for maternal depression.
In another study by Professor Mindell, it is reported that both mum and child.miss out on one stage of sleep when they co-sleep. There is certainly room for more work, looking at the effects of missing this stage of sleep, and at the effects of co sleeping which is prolonged beyond 6-9 months.
While co sleeping is a parental choice, setting a time after which the child will be in their own room in their own bed, is something which should be agreed and adhered to by both parents, in the interests of the child and of their own relationship.
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