5 BENEFITS OF CO-SLEEPING

Hey all! We are talking about a topic that I find to be happening more than not with babies and toddlers, co-sleeping. Here are 5 benefits of co-sleeping with your little 🙂

This has become a HUGE point of topic when going to the pediatrician, especially with a newborn. When we had Trudie and picked a pediatrician, I can say with confidence we did not do nearly enough research as we should have. (Stay tuned for our blog post on tips for picking your pediatrician.)

Every appointment (which for a newborn was weekly), we would be asked the same list of questions. One of them was in regards to co-sleeping.

Every visit when it came to asking about co-sleeping, the nurse wouldn’t even ask the question. Actually, she would say: “You aren’t co-sleeping, right?” (Eeesh, way to make me feel like I’m doing something wrong.)

For a new parent who is not attuned to the questions you are going to be asked (I WISH I had a cheat sheet), it was a rude awakening to the medical world and what they liked and didn’t like when it comes to your baby.

It got to the point where we would lie because we were being judged so harshly for how we handled our daughter. And it was always with a scare tactic that they would explain to us why they didn’t like it. “Your baby could die.”

Well that sounds extreme, no? 

I’m here to share with you the benefits of co-sleeping and why we went against the doctor’s very aggressive orders to NOT CO-SLEEP. And let me tell you, it was well WORTH IT!

1. YOU CAN GET TO YOUR BABY FASTER

What we were being told, and I would think many others were also being told, is that if the baby sleeps in the same bed with us, we could roll over onto the baby. This would cause suffocation.

Unless you are intoxicated, it is not likely you will roll over onto the baby and never realize it. I mean, I know us Mama’s are tired, but we’re actually more aware, listening for every tiny sound we here!

On the contrary, if your baby needs you, you can get their much faster – because they are right next to you. Let’s say you fed the baby, it’s in the middle of the night, and then you put the baby back in its crib. 

If the baby spits up, and is choking, you need to rush into the room (you actually have to pull yourself out of bed first and then run.) If the baby is laying next you, you’re right there to quickly tend to the baby and help.

2. BREASTFEEDING AT NIGHT IS EASIER

Trudie was obsessed with nursing – I’m talking, had to always have it, wouldn’t take a bottle, obsessed (she probably still would be if I didn’t cut her off). It’s already exhausting having a baby, little lone getting up every three hours to feed.

By having your baby sleep next to you, it’s much easier to roll over, open your shirt, and begin the feeding process. There’s no more getting up, walking into the other room, sitting down in a rocking chair, and sitting there for what could be 30 minutes.

Instead, by having them right beside you, you’re able to quickly feed and comfort. This means less crying, more eating, and more sleep for mama and baby. (FYI, Trudie got to the point where she knew right where the boob was and instead of crying would just reach for it.)

How can you pass that up??

3. FEEDING ALL NIGHT KEEPS YOUR SUPPLY UP

If you are breastfeeding, by continuing to feed throughout the night you are telling your body to keep the supply going, and to keep it strong. 

Breastfeeding was my number one goal, I wanted to be able to breastfeed her for at least the first year. (Be careful what you wish for, I got to breastfeed for 3 years!)

Because you are maintaining consistent feedings 24/7, you are able to produce more milk which keeps you and baby happy.

4. EVERYONE SLEEPS LONGER

We tried getting Trudie to sleep in a crib – she just wasn’t having it. And after being EXHAUSTED from being abruptly woken and then trying to open my eyes enough to see to get her, I quickly gave this up. 

Because she was right next to me, she very quickly learned that there was no need to cry, she felt security knowing I was right there, and she was calmer overall.

After Trudie felt the security of having me right there, she started to sleep longer. And because she was sleeping longer, we were sleeping more…yay!

5. CREATES A DEEP EMOTIONAL BOND WITH YOUR BABY

There is something to be said about the security your baby feels when they know you are close. They know they can count on you being right there when they need you. 

It’s also a love they feel. 

Let’s remember – for the 9 months you carry a baby, they can hear your heartbeat. It’s the constant “music” they listen to. It’s comforting, it’s familiar.

With that baby next to you, they are still close to your heartbeat and it’s something they look for when they’re born. It’s a reason the baby is placed on your chest, they feel you and they hear you. 

Hopefully these points help you to think about the benefits of co-sleeping with your little. There’s nothing scary about it, and on the contrary, there’s something beautiful about it. You decide – do you want more sleep, a better breastfeeding experience and a stronger bond with your baby? 

We say go for it!