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Do you co-sleep with your baby?

There is a great deal of controversy about co-sleeping nowadays. Some studies show it increases mom's stress hormones as well as the risk of SIDS, while others show that it benefits babies and prevents obesity. Where do you stand? Check out my blog post on this subject at: http://www.momniscient.net/2012/11/losing-sleep-over-new-co-sleepin...

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on December 6, 2012 at 1:23pm

I swore up and down I wouldn't do it while I was pregnant (as I did with many things before realizing I knew nothing). But then my sweet baby boy was born. And he was loud. And he didn't sleep. And I was tired. When I say he didn't sleep I mean from the moment he was born he fought it with every fiber, the ONLY was he slept was in my arms, the second I tried to put him down in that little thing next to me he freaked out. So I took a hint and gave him what he needed. I may not have gotten great sleep only sleeping on my side with his head on my arm the first few months but I got more than I would've any other way. I did my research and I did everything I could make it as safe as possible.

We ended up co-sleeping for the first year of his life, I only stopped when he was ready and he definitely let me know what he was ready to have his own space.

My opinion on this is what I've learned as a first time parent who didn't do everything "right," do what's best for your family. Don't base your opinion on the nonsense out there, because there will always be two sides. Don't co-sleep because you think you need to in order to bond and raise an independent, confident child. Don't not co-sleep because you're afraid. There's going to be a danger with everything and if you do your research and do either correctly you can keep your child as safe as any parent can.

On a side note, I was scared to death of the risk of SIDS, as is every parent obviously but I have severe anxiety so I obsessed about it constantly. And I actually felt MORE secure having my child sleep in bed with me, which I never thought I would.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Beverly Hills Mom on December 11, 2012 at 2:57am

I commented on your blog post. But yes I co-slept and still do!

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Permalink Reply by Happy Mommy on December 21, 2012 at 8:14pm

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my first but ended up not co-sleeping. He slept in a basinet next to our bed for the first few months until he grew out of it and was moved to his crib. Now, if he cries, I will bring him to our bed but he never falls asleep in it unless he is really sick. He asks to be taken back to his crib. :-) He's 2.5 now.