Life
As a new mother, making all the decisions that come with bringing a baby home from the hospital can be overwhelming. Getting your baby to sleep and creating a successful sleeping environment are some of the first things many parents think about when arriving home with their newborn. And whether or not you should co-sleep with a baby is always a hot topic with new parents, and a controversial one at that. Though there are a lot of myths about co-sleeping out there, there are also a several co-sleeping myths that are actually true.
When it comes to sharing a bed with your baby, there are a lot of different factors to consider. No one solution fits all families, and co-sleeping may not work for you. Some people believe in the power of co-sleeping, and say that the experience helped them bond with their child. Other parents prefer to keep their sleeping space separate from their child, for personal reasons, or because they believe in the negative myths of co-sleeping. So before you write off co-sleeping as dangerous or believe that it's the best way to sleep with your child, read up on the following co-sleeping myths that are actually true, so that you can decide the best course of action for you and your baby.
1
It Encourages Breastfeeding
According to What To Expect, co-sleeping encourages breastfeeding by making nighttime nursing more convenient. Whether in the middle of the night, or before bed, the convenience of having your babe nearby will actually help encourage a better and easier time with breastfeeding.
2
It Leads To More Nighttime Sleep
Rather than spending your time fighting against your baby, going back and forth to their crib all night long, according to Gentle Parenting, the waking of co-sleeping babies throughout the night is shorter than those of babies that sleep in their own cribs.
3
It Helps Babies Fall Asleep More Easily
According to Kids Health, co-sleeping can help your baby fall asleep more easily, especially during their first few months of adjusting to a sleep schedule, when they're waking up several times in the middle of the night.
4
It Encourages Intimacy
On The Bump, a number of mothers state how much closer co-sleeping has made them feel to their babies. From being able to bond with their babies, to feeling safer while sleeping, increased intimacy is a myth about co-sleeping that's actually true.
5
It Helps Your Sleep Cycle Sync
According to Kids Health, when babies and mothers sleep together, their sleep schedule synchronizes. This means that when you're in a deep sleep cycle, so is your baby. And when you're in a light sleep cycle, so is your baby. This helps both you and your baby know when the other is ready to wake, which creates synchronicity between you.
6
It's Easier To Get Back To Sleep
Because your baby is so near when you're co-sleeping, getting back to sleep is much easier. In the time you would spend getting back and forth between your bed and theirs, you can spend time soothing your baby back to sleep, according to What To Expect.
7
It Really Works
It's not a myth that co-sleeping actually works. In fact, according to Baby Center, co-sleeping is a growing trend in the United States. Before you decide to start co-sleeping, Baby Center recommends making it a family decision. Though co-sleeping may work for some parents, you and your partner should decide together what's right for your family.
