Bed sharing and stress: What’s the verdict?

One of the questions a new mom is asked the most: “So…does your baby sleep at night?” The subject of babies and sleep always spurs interesting conversations with no shortage of strong opinions. The topic of bed sharing is no exception. Some parents roll their eyes at bed sharing. Others swear by it in order to get any sleep themselves. Experts can’t seem to agree whether it’s a good or bad thing. But a recent study found a mom’s decision to sleep with her baby may affect her health, as well as that of her child. Women who breastfed their baby but did not share a bed were shown to have the best pattern of stress hormones (specifically, cortisol). And this particular pattern of stress hormones, in turn, has been linked with good health. One of the many benefits of breastfeeding for moms is it’s a known stress reducer. The combination of breastfeeding and letting your little one sleep in his own bed may further relieve stress. How? To start, sharing your bed with your baby may lead to sleeping problems for you. We all know that poor sleep affects stress levels, and not in a good way.

Bad habit or best for baby?

Bed sharing and co-sleeping is a common practice. In fact, even more babies may sleep in beds with their parents than most are willing to admit. Some parents try it for the sake of convenience. Others discover it is a special bonding time with their child. Back in November, the city of Milwaukee unveiled their controversial ad campaign to decrease the practice of bed sharing, which featured images of babies in bed with butcher knives next to them. Is the practice of bed sharing really just as dangerous? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, room sharing without bed sharing is recommended for infants up to one year of age. That’s because this is the time babies are most at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Co-sleeping is not recommended, either (some say that’s different: Babies sleep on a separate surface but within an arm’s reach). Do you breastfeed and bed share or co-sleep? If so, does it help you relax or stress you out? If you don’t practice bed sharing or co-sleeping, why not?