S/O Co-sleeping: A PSA

tosh24 · August 2011

There seems to be some confusion - there is a difference between co-sleeping (sleeping in the same room) and bed sharing (self-explanatory). Co-sleeping =/= bed sharing.

I really have no interest in what other people do with their kids - it's a very personal decision which takes into account a lot of factors. This is just an FYI.

Here's a little excerpt that explains it all in a nutshell (for us Canadians out there, the Canadian Pediatric Society has the same stance/recommendations as the American Academy of Pediatrics).

You might be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually recommends the practice of co-sleeping. But, before you jump for joy or shake your head (depending on where your opinions stand), please understand that the AAP may not define the term of co-sleeping the same way you might. While common usage refers to co-sleeping as sleeping with a child in the same bed, AAP makes a clear distinction between co-sleeping and bed sharing.

The definition of co-sleeping is an infant or child who sleeps in the same room or in close proximity of the parents. This can be arranged by having a safe crib, bassinet, infant "co-sleeper," firm mattress or child's bed that is dedicated specifically for the child to sleep in alone.

The definition of bed sharing, is just that. The infant or child sleeps in the same bed, couch or other surface where the parents sleep, and the baby and parents sleep in that bed at the same time.

The AAP does not recommend bed sharing for an infant. There is too much data to support the danger of having a baby, especially an infant, in the same bed. On the other hand, the AAP highly encourages co-sleeping in the same room. Co-sleeping, according to the AAP encourages breast feeding. Studies have shown that the risk of SIDS and other serious complications (such as a sick baby going into severe distress) can be reduced when families co-sleep.

kylayton · August 2011

That is interesting! We definitely plan to co-sleep for at least the first few months. I don't think I could ever bed share. I love my space too much!

iluvmylab · August 2011

It's my understanding that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission still uses the term co-sleeping to mean bed-sharing, that's why there may be some confusion. I've always considered co-sleeping to be sharing a family bed.

laurenmbride · August 2011

iluvmylab:
It's my understanding that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission still uses the term co-sleeping to mean bed-sharing, that's why there may be some confusion. I've always considered co-sleeping to be sharing a family bed.

This. I've always known co-sleeping to mean bed-sharing, and never really considered the baby at the side of the bed in a PnP to be co-sleeping. Oh well.

kylayton · August 2011

laurenmbride:
iluvmylab:
It's my understanding that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission still uses the term co-sleeping to mean bed-sharing, that's why there may be some confusion. I've always considered co-sleeping to be sharing a family bed.

This. I've always known co-sleeping to mean bed-sharing, and never really considered the baby at the side of the bed in a PnP to be co-sleeping. Oh well.

Same here but it makes sense that there would be a specific term for sharing a room and not a bed.

spacedolphin11 · August 2011

Good to know! So we'll be co-sleeping but not bed-sharing.

buggywhips · August 2011

Thank you for this! As little as I know about babies, I did know the difference. I would love to get a co-sleeper for us-it offers the convenience of bed sharing without the dangers. I am paranoid when my cat sleeps next to me...and I've rolled over onto him a few times. Good thing he is a hefty boy! I could not imagine bed-sharing with a newborn...

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