Every parent seems to have an opinion. But when it comes to controversial topics, there’s a right or wrong way to raise your children, there’s a certain thing that you should or should not be doing. There are also things that are more important than others. But according to the new advice given by a pediatrician, children should sleep in bed with their mothers until they reach the age of three.
According to a recent article in Daily Mail, Dr. Nils Bergman, of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, “Their hearts were also under more stress… Sleeping alone makes it harder for mother and child to bond – and damages the development of the brain, leading to bad behavior as the child grows up…”
According to many studies, co-sleeping leads to more sudden infant deaths. There are other critical factors in these deaths and that babies shouldn’t sleep alone according to the mounting evidence.
Dr. James McKenna Ph.D. of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame, and author of Sleeping with Your Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Cosleeping explained that countries with the highest numbers of moms sleeping with their babies are less in infant mortality rates. Whether moms should co-sleep in the same bad with their baby, sleep with them in the same room but in separate beds, or have them sleep in a separate room are the important factors that should be recognized when issuing recommendations.
Dr. Berman explains some other factors in an article in The Independent: “When babies are smothered and suffer cot deaths, it is not because their mother is present. It is because of other things: toxic fumes, cigarettes, alcohol, big pillows, and dangerous toys.”
“Animal studies have linked the combination of stress and lack of sleep to behavioral problems in teenage years… and changes to the brain brought on by stress hormones may make it more difficult to form relationships later on, leading to problems such as promiscuity”.
You should read Dr. McKenna’s article referenced here, in the sources below. It will explain the controversy regarding co-sleeping and after reading it you can come to make the optimal decision depending on your lifestyle, financial situation, and housing.
Extra Tip:
You can practice it by putting your baby to sleep in a separate bassinet next to your bed if you have doubts in regards to co-sleeping and its safety. Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, a family practitioner in Kingsport, Tennessee, and co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth says, “Putting the baby’s crib or bassinet in your room means your baby is right there with you—steps away. But she’s in her crib, which is the safest place for a baby to sleep. Your baby’s crib should be her safe haven. This is what’s best—for her and for you—and what will help you both get the most sleep!”
Sources used : – expand-your-consciousness.com , notjustskin.org ,independent.co.uk , thebump.com