The act of co-sleeping, where babies and toddlers share a “family bed” with their parents, is a rising trend in the United States, though the practice is contested by those who doubt its purported benefits. Here are the pros and cons of co-sleeping with your child:
PRO
- Breastfeeding in bed much more convenient than running hose into nursery
- Gushing to single friends about the beauty of sleeping beside your spouse and infant will make them feel even lonelier
- Crying sounds way better live than through crappy monitor
- No scientific evidence that smothering a newborn with the full weight of your unconscious body inhibits development
- Easy nighttime feedings mean that moms can pump a few ounces just for themselves during the day
- Mommy, Daddy, and baby can sleep soundly knowing their condo still has a killer home gym
CON
- Instills in child the dangerous idea that they come first in parents’ lives
- Baby kept awake night after night by your recurring nightmares
- Very real risk of your child one day uttering the words “family bed” in public
- Yet another goddamn sleep number to juggle
- Probably tough for newborn to sleep so close to the womb without being able to get back in
- It’s weird as hell—let’s not pretend otherwise