Many self-proclaimed “parenting specialists” (essentially anyone with internet access) strongly advise against the practice of co-sleeping with your child. Their concerns primarily revolve around safety, yet some also worry it might result in your child expecting to share your bed well into adulthood—until they either reach their 40th birthday or finally move out.
As a pediatrician, I typically refrain from co-sleeping, except during special occasions like holidays, weekends, or the odd Tuesday when my child insists on being close. Logically, it seems you would get more rest if you could simply reach over and soothe your child rather than trekking down the hall. But here’s the reality:
- It doesn’t matter if you have a spacious California King bed; a child can somehow make your sleeping space feel as cramped as a capsule hotel in Japan. You may even feel like they’re attempting to reclaim their former space in the womb.
- Just being close isn’t enough for children. They need a part of their body pressed against you at all times. It’s almost as if their little hands and feet possess a supernatural ability to find you—like tiny, chubby ninjas that can turn your peaceful slumber into an acrobatic challenge.
- Children seem to generate their own heat, often running at an astonishing 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress them in a sleep sack or cozy footie pajamas, and brace yourself for a long, sweaty night.
- Kids have surprisingly hard heads. When that Charlie Brown-like noggin collides with your nose at 3 a.m., it’s you who will be left reeling, while they remain blissfully unaware.
- Ever woken up to a small child grabbing your face, turning it towards your partner, and screaming, “Whose face is that?!” It’s as disconcerting as it sounds.
In essence, co-sleeping is anything but cooperative. While one party may manage to catch some sleep, it’s unlikely to be you. Nevertheless, there’s something undeniably heartwarming about waking up to a little one with wild bedhead, resembling a Shar Pei. And if the experts are right, I have only about 37 years left to cherish these moments.
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In summary, co-sleeping presents its own unique challenges and joys. While it may not guarantee a restful night for parents, the precious moments shared with children can be worth the occasional sleepless night.