What is sharing bed with mom?

Sharing a bed with your mother, often called co-sleeping, is a practice with a range of potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as different cultural and age-related considerations.

• Infancy and Early Childhood: Co-sleeping is common in many cultures, especially in infancy. Some believe it promotes infant%20bonding, facilitates breastfeeding, and allows for easier monitoring of the baby's well-being. However, concerns exist about the increased risk of sudden%20infant%20death%20syndrome (SIDS) when practiced unsafely (e.g., soft bedding, parental smoking, parental alcohol use). Safe co-sleeping practices are crucial.
• Older Children: For older children, bed-sharing can sometimes occur due to nighttime%20fears, anxiety, or emotional distress. While it may provide temporary comfort, prolonged bed-sharing in older children can hinder the development of independence and sleep%20hygiene.
• Cultural Considerations: Cultural norms significantly influence bed-sharing practices. In some cultures, it's a standard and accepted practice throughout childhood, while in others, it's discouraged after infancy.
• Potential Benefits: Beyond infancy, potential benefits might include increased feelings of security, reduced stress for the child, and strengthened emotional bonds.
• Potential Drawbacks: Potential drawbacks can include disrupted sleep for both the mother and child, difficulty establishing healthy%20sleep%20patterns, and potential difficulties transitioning to independent sleep later on. It may also strain the parental%20relationship if both parents are not in agreement or if intimacy is affected.
• Safety: Regardless of age, ensuring a safe sleep environment is paramount. This includes a firm mattress, no loose bedding, and a smoke-free environment.
• When to Seek Professional Advice: If bed-sharing is causing significant sleep problems, anxiety, or relationship issues, seeking guidance from a pediatrician, sleep specialist, or therapist is recommended.