Oh no! Taboo topic ahead! Don’t read further if you believe the bs that parents don’t know what is best for their kids!

Ok disclaimer done. Let’s get on with it. I know that was a pretty loaded intro but it is pretty true. Co-sleeping is one of the most taboo things parents are told. It is dangerous and your babies will likely never recover from the attachment that it provides. You want to be able to have a life again? Forget it, if you co-sleep or even if you share a room!

Now I can understand how this became a thing. If one baby was hurt or worse then it is worth looking at the whole situation. That doesn’t mean overcorrect. That means figuring out what is safe and making sure people know that. In this case they went all in the opposite direction.

There are so many great groups, businesses and women out there that are trying to put it back right. To let others know that you can co sleep safely. I completely suggest you go find reputable sources and find out what they say. This post is not about the safety of it or not. This is about my struggle with it. I love co-sleeping.

I love co-sleeping. I am not getting up and nursing a baby in the middle of the night. I know they show images of mamas in rocking chairs in a dimly lit room and quietly smiling at their baby while they nurse or bottle feed. Are we kidding?! In what world do you know a mama that has been dealing with all the things during the day, who then can even peel her eyelids open enough to wander to another room MULTIPLE TIMES A NIGHT. MY GAWD. I mean even if it is the same room, I can barely get my eyes open to check the time on my phone. So no that is not me. What is me, that is rolling a baby gently to the either side of the bed whenever they wake to nurse. Then almost all the time falling asleep with their little body snuggled up to mine.

I take extra care to make my bed as safe as can be for my baby. I sleep in only my nursing bra and underwear so no clothes to get tangled in. I have an Arms Reach Bassinet next to my bed on my side and my husband on the other. We have no extra blankets or pillows laying in the bed. My hair is always tied up or back. I cover myself halfway and hold the blankets down from around my babies with my arm while they are snuggled next to me.

What are the benefits to sleeping with your baby?

I am not even sure that all the evidence is in on it at this point. Moms know what is best for them and their children and somehow that was scared out of us and now we are waiting on evidence that sleeping with our babies is ok. But I understand. So let’s start with temperature and breathing regulation. Calm unstressed sleep for your baby because you are near them. Ability to nurse freely at night. Better brain development and growth.

Let’s talk about what it does not do. It does not make your kids never want to sleep without you. It does not make you spoil your baby. It does not mean you can’t have your sex life back. It doesn’t mean that you can’t sleep well. As well as you can sleep having a new baby anyway.

You can literally have a baby sleep with you and in the crib sometimes. You can put them down for naps or hold them. You can figure out what works for you. The only caveat to this, when you have other children, finding a balance between caring for them and spending time with your baby is difficult. I know this because I have a lot of kids.

The final point I will leave you with, please do your research and do what is right for you with your baby. Haters, mother in laws and mothers be darned. YOU are the important decision maker for your child. And your hubby if you are cool like that. But no other judgement should interfere with what you feel best doing.

What was your preferred method of sleeping with your kids? Did you sleep?