I am really excited to be writing for the Navigating the Booby Trap Breastfeeding series! Breastfeeding has been one of the most important parts of our attachment parenting journey for our son thus far, and I absolutely love being able to share about that experience with others!
In my post, I’ll be sharing with you about the relationship between breastfeeding and co-sleeping.
Before I get into any details, I first want to define what I mean by “co-sleeping.” I only recently discovered that the term “co-sleeping” in general means “sleeping in close proximity to your baby.” This can mean sharing a bed or simply sharing a room.
To me, however, when I say “co-sleeping” I mean exactly what it sounds like—sleeping in the same bed as your child (sometimes this is referred to as a “family bed” as well). For the purposes of this article, when I say co-sleeping, I mean bed-sharing.
One other thing I want to outline before I begin is the fact that I do not pass judgment on any parents for their choices in sleeping patterns, feeding, or any other decisions. I believe that every parent wants to do the absolute best thing for their child, and that all of their parenting choices stem from that. While I may not always agree, I take comfort in the fact that parenting choices are almost always made from love.
With that being said, I strongly advocate for co-sleeping whenever it is possible for a family, especially in the first year of life. A human infant (or any mammal baby for that matter) is not designed to leave the womb and be left alone to sleep; and self-soothing and self-comforting are not skills that an infant is born with. In fact, this isn’t something a child can do on their own until they are several years old.
Anytime a mother says that they are having a problem with breastfeeding and/or sleeping habits for either herself or the baby, the first thing I always ask is: “Do you co-sleep?” Very often, the answer is no. I strongly believe that if there is one way to ensure a healthy breastfeeding relationship with your child, it is to co-sleep with them. (Likewise, the best way to ensure a healthy co-sleeping relationship is to breastfeed.) I could list countless studies and personal experiences here to show you this truth; but I believe the best way to show you the benefits of this symbiotic relationship of breastfeeding and co-sleeping is to simply list them off for you!
Benefits of Breastfeeding and Co-sleeping for the Child
1. Better and longer periods of sleep – When baby would normally wake to nurse, since mama is right there, they do not have to completely rouse from slumber to be quickly comfort-nursed back to sleep.
2. Despite scary ad campaigns, it’s actually safer – When a baby sleeps close to their mother, their physiology actually mimics that of the mom, just like in the womb. This keeps baby’s heart rate steady, breathing remains stable, and they can better regulate their body temperature. This is especially important in the first year of life when SIDS is at it’s highest risk. In fact, studies have shown that children who safely co-sleep with their mother have a fourfold decreased risk of SIDS.
3. Long-term emotional health – Numerous studies have shown that children who co-slept with their parents have higher self-esteem, more independence, less anxiety, deal better with difficult peer relationships, tend to have more meaningful personal relationships as they more readily accept affection, and suffer from fewer psychological disorders than their peers who did not co-sleep.
4. Intellectual benefits – Studies have also shown that children who co-slept perform better in school and often have higher IQs than their counterparts. Breastfeeding, of course, also plays a huge role here!
Benefits of Breastfeeding and Co-sleeping for the Mother
5. Better and longer periods of sleep – Just as the baby benefits from better sleep, so does the mother. Since baby sleeps more soundly, the mother does as well. Also, just as the baby does not have to completely rouse from slumber to nurse, neither does the mother. When I began getting the age-old question: “Does he sleep through the night yet?” when my son was about a month old, my answer was always, “I honestly don’t know. I guess we both wake up a few times, but I don’t remember it in the morning.” How awesome is that?
6. Nighttime feedings are much easier – I honestly do not know how mothers drag themselves out of bed several times a night to cross the hall and nurse baby sitting up in a chair. I couldn’t do it. Having the child right beside you makes this process much simpler and you both lose so much less sleep!
7. Maintains your milk supply – Maintaining a good milk supply demands that you breastfeed around the clock. This is tough to do at night if your child is in another room. Babies who co-sleep tend to nurse on a better schedule at night, helping the mother to keep her supply in check. This also helps to delay the return of fertility for the mother, allowing for better spacing between children.
8. Heightened sense of attachment and sensitivity – This is actually true for fathers or partners who co-sleep with their babies, as well as the nursing mother. Being so close to a child as they sleep allows parents to develop a closer relationship and more fine-tuned sense of the child’s needs. This closeness at night translates to daytime care as well, allowing for a better emotional connection for the family in general.
9. Seriously, is there anything better than waking up next to a peaceful, well-rested, smiling baby? – If that isn’t good for the soul, I don’t know what is!
If you’d like more information about co-sleeping and breastfeeding, check out my all-time favorite breastfeeding resource: Kelly Mom.
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Be sure to check out all of the posts in Navigating the Booby Trap: Breastfeeding and Beyond.
Leah blogs at Crunchy Farm Baby, where she shares her family’s journey of living, growing, playing, and eating as green as possible. She lives with her husband and toddler son on a small farm in Southern PA, and enjoys designing fun, crafty items and reading in her free time. You can also follow Leah on facebook and twitter.
Original article and pictures take www.intoxicatedonlife.com site
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