Co-Sleeping With Infants: Science, Public Policy, and Parents Civil Rights, with James McKenna, PhD

Dr. James J. McKenna, PhD, director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame shares:
- the science and history of co-sleeping,
- the need to define the terminology
- why public policy is based on social norms instead of science,
- why public policy is unethical, as it withholds information about cosleeping
- WHY THIS IS ALL GETTING READY TO CHANGE AS BREASTFEEDING RATES INCREASE
- and how parents can become empowered and stand up for what is essentially a civil right: to make your conscious parenting choices according to science and not unethical public policy and uninformed social norms.
Lisa Reagan, interviewed Dr. McKenna at the More than LATCH conference in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Pathways to Family Wellness magazine is published by the ICPA, Inc. Find your local wellness community and visit the magazine at: www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org
Find your conscious parenting choices and your supportive local groups at www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org
For more information on co-sleeping, including a complete inventory of FAQs and articles, visit Dr. McKenna at the Mother-Baby Sleep Behaviorial Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, at www.cosleeping.nd.edu
Learn more about the LATCH conference here: www.healthsourceforwomen.com/u...
Film videography by Keith Reagan, www.keithreagan.com

[@honeysky1102]

I co sleep with my son. I wish i did more with my first 2 children. My newborn son would get so upset if he didnt sleep between his father and I. Even in the little cradle between us, he needed that warmth between his father and mother. Hes 5yrs now and is transitioning to his own bed. Hes wonderful and this has been so amazing. He also nursed until 20 months. He weened off on his own. Ill also mention i had cancer when he was 4. He still slept with me when i was so ill it helped me stay strong. I thankfully beat cancer last month. I am blessed and i hope others are too. Everyone take care and enjoy life especially our children. ❤

[@blablabla3740]

❤❤❤

[@alycemeeks2265]

Such a beautiful story, may you family continue to have great health ans good luck x

[@simonasimo8643]

Happy you doing well. I am currently training my 17bmonth old baby to sleep in her cot. Day 6 and tonight she fall asleep on her owen. I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant so it will help with the order baby. I'm crying my eyes out cause she used to sleep in my bed and tbh I hate that I have to put her in her owen room. But you all mums doing amazing jobs wether co sleeping or not x

[@alycemeeks2265]

@@simonasimo8643 you dont 'have' to do anything, you could put you lil one in the middle and get a side car for your newborn. Please dont do cio its so so damaging

[@adlozi]

thanks for sharing. In case you did not know about the Gerson Therapy, I would like you to look in to it, it is a part of the Orthomolecular medicine. See Charlottes Gerson's lectures and workshops. I use these principles in my daily life - optimal nutrition and detox, and avoid all chemicals. For kids it is also good to drink these fresh juices: organic carrots + sour apples - so tasty. As Charlotte Gerson said, two basic reasons of ALL degenerative or chronic diseases are: toxicity and deficiency. Restore your body on a cellular level and feel better and healthier than ever before.

[@AlystarMckenneh]

I never let go of my kid from the moment I had her. She slept on my chest in the hospital, I took her home to my bed and she slept with me until she was 5 or so. She is now a very secure, smart and emotionally responsive person. The first day of preschool she dropped my hand ran into the play yard and said , "bye mommy." And she was off to being her own person. I think it's good for both mommy

[@Trickytrickify]

Alystar Mckenneh you're lucky a friend of mine her baby died suffocating, such a terrible experience

[@bobichina]

Alystar Mckenneh-O'Neill my 15 month boy also sleeps in my arms and he is the happiest baby as everybody who sees him say

[@user-tl5yb1jy7c]

That's not due to co-sleeping, that is the random chance of what a person ends up being like due to genes and other uncontrollable factors. Have more kids and you'll see the variability in outcome even if you treat them the same.

[@ilovejacquescousteau7183]

Same with our family. 💕 My daughter has been force-fed a fear of cosleeping during her pregnancy with her first, but she is actively seeking out any helpful information. This is a phenomenal video.

[@ilovejacquescousteau7183]

Ren Oz Doubt it. (?)

[@MamaBell256]

See... now THAT is sexy. A man who supports a mother's instincts with evidence based practice and empowers them with it.

[@phoebegrace33]

Amen!

[@HeatherTorrance]

I'm one of those moms who didn't intend to co-sleep but ended up doing so. We just sort of fell into it because I kept falling asleep while my son was nursing (he was a marathon breast-feeder), so we didn't take all of the safety precautions we could have (or should have) in the beginning. This information should be more available!

[@MrJmckenn11]

Haha, yes, Elizabeth, those were dishes banging in the background. It was impossible to find a quiet area for filming as it was at a hotel conference setting in which I was lecturing. But glad you liked the interview. Sorry for the noise. (You might have also noticed the arrival of my smiling colleague, Dr.Kathy Kendall-Tackett, who inadvertently did a cameo appearance. (Adds a little something special, don't you think ?? :)

[@Skyclad323]

James McKenna, I was just about to say you were photo-bombed by KKT!

[@bobichina]

Bedsharing is the norm in whole Asia with No issue. In American culture parenting style is too tough for newborn by putting them in a separate bed and room. It’s cruel child neglect in Asia

[@succwong4642]

Agreed. In korea baby is always with mommy

[@bellaboo182]

I'm a Canadian Mama. I've bed shared with all three of my children. I've said over and over again. It is our creature comforts (soft beds, lots of pillows, super warm blankets) that are the most risky part. I put my mattress on the floor (just in case) and bed shared for 2 years with my first (no choice) and then with my other two until they were ready (about a year)

[@virginiachamberlain3759]

@@bellaboo182 how do you handle day time naps while bed sharing? Did you kids nap in the bed alone? Or some where else? And how about middle of the night wake ups? Do you sleep train them to fall back asleep in a few mins or did you feed them a few times a night through 5 to 6 months old?

[@eminemilly]

@@virginiachamberlain3759 babies tummies are tiny and theyre growing so id still feed through night

[@patriciachang8666]

Eeuu is an individualist country, so is it just a reflection or extension of their culture

[@marymcguire9246]

I breastfed and safely bedshared with all six of my children. It is absolutely correct that parents must do so safely as James McKenna states. All six breastfed until at least two years of age and left our bed when they were ready. I truly believe that bed sharing/co-sleeping had much to do with my many years of successful nursing. This is wonderful information that is offered in this You Tube interview and more parents need this thorough and very beneficial information on co-sleeping.

[@carmay3600]

My husband and I bedshare. Now that my oldest is 3 we have put her toddler bed next to our bed. Initially we tried to get her to sleep in her room but she got up several times and was terrified. I was VERY uncomfortable with the idea of her being and feeling alone at 3 yrs old. She saw her bed in our room the next night and was absolutely overjoyed/relieved/excited...she danced and sang how she loved it! My 2 yr old is weening and when she is about 4 her bed will also be in our room. We haven't decided when but when we move their beds they will be in the same room so that they have each other. I have always had my twin sister. I couldn't imagine how it must feel to be alone.

[@ghostcat2467]

You sound like a wonderful Mother!

[@LulasticHippyshake]

How I wish this research was the dominant voice on cosleeping! There is such a lot of myth surrounding this perfect way of being with babies.

[@tobymarley1]

I bedshare. I'm on baby number 2. After breastfeeding is complete I position myself lower in the bed so the baby is at my face. ITS AMAZING and we sleep great. My first son left the bed when he was ready.

[@karensanders2818]

I work in a PICU and have seen many SIDS deaths. However, they all had circumstances as you describe. I bed share with my 10-mo-old and have since he was born. We do it safely and it's the key to breastfeeding success and rest for us.

[@xxluaxx6]

Former cps worker and current peds ed social worker and SAME. I’m so tired of hearing from cps workers and nurses things such “I don’t do it bc of my work experiences.” They don’t speak for all of us. Thank you for your comment.

[@gingerhancock5446]

Thank you Mama for teaching me how to love and nurture my infants when it wasn't popular forty years ago!

[@likeminas]

new dad here. we co-sleep with our baby and is great. i love waking up to her angelical face

[@gojungah]

I'm so glad to have watched this video. I'm a mother of three children and have raised all of them with co-sleeping. My aussie mother-in law has tried hard to scare me off from the co-sleeping by telling me all of tragic stories she had heard or made? like " someone's baby died from rolling off from a bed etc" I'm from South Korea and almost every mum in Korea has raised their children with co-sleeping for generations and generations possibly up to a few thousand years and I've never heard any babies died from co-sleeping in Korea. I wish my mother-in law watched this video, too.

[@oshin33anika]

JungAh Kim Ikr, I am south asian, and I never even knew that you could let your bsby sleep away from mother/father.... never seen in any asian family.... seems cruel to me..

[@reneehilscher6176]

anika Oshin yes! Cruel and cold

[@bobichina]

JungAh Kim same in China

[@josephineatieno]

JungAh Kim In many parts of Africa as well, i have never heard of it.

[@lLustfulness]

I'm German and every single one of us have co-slept. Never had any problems. Everyone should respect what people think they can handle. c:

[@Ababymooncompany]

Thank you, James McKenna! You are a national treasure.

[@cherriercheung]

I've been very firm on bedsharing and not putting baby to crib in a separate room before my first child was born. Mother instinct is a powerful tool. It guides me every time when conflicting advices, a lot of which are completely lack of any evidence, are given in modern western society. I don't care how many times our pediatrician and in-laws urged me to "train" the babies to sleep independently. This is the most natural way of child rearing and has been around for thousands of years in human history, so it can't be harmful, to say the least.

[@Pinksugarelephant]

There's nothing like waking up to my baby girl's smile. I love sleeping with her.

[@alexiamarvin1012]

I love this guy! An educated man making information freely accessible to everyone. This is what change and growth looks like!

[@jessgeoghegan]

I'll never look back.. bed sharing is amazing for our family.

[@rumianandy1684]

Truly, I being Asian I never heard of SID before I turned to internet. Accidents happen every day, but we do our best to avoid them. We need to learn and keep our baby close.

[@annadukeson3119]

What an excellent summary about the benefits and risks of co-sleeping (including bed-sharing). Professor James McKenna and his team have done such a wonderful job researching this important topic and providing parents with real information so that we can make informed choices. Thank you for that, we truly appreciate it.

[@TheAngelofnv]

I did bedsharing with my one and only and she decided that she wanted her own sleeping space around 4 months of age. I miss it but I truly believe your child will let you know when they're ready for the next step in any situation. Mine sure does!

[@THIKKnASS]

this is the best informative video I've seen on co sleeping/ bed sharing! FINALLY!!!

[@bobichina]

Airman Jo agree

[@zoeyjackson4222]

Yes I'm so glad that someone says it's okay and good for the baby

[@gee2606]

I’m so glad that I watched this video. Thank you so much for the enlightening information. As a new mum I was told very strictly to NOT bed share by all health care professionals, but I couldn’t help it. From the second I gave birth to my baby baby, he slept right by my side. It was easier, as I’m breastfeeding, and he was always happier when he aroused; it just felt like the best thing to do for us both. Because of the negativity surrounding the whole situation I wasn’t very open about it, and always thought in some way I wasn’t doing it “right”. Listening to video, and getting to hear all of the information has made me feel as though I AM doing the right thing for my child, and myself, and that my instincts were correct. Thank you for giving the power back to Mothers.

[@PSLili]

I was terrified to fall asleep with my first child. Eventually, over the course of the first month he regularly slept in bed with me at night. I will be cosleeping with my next child. This is a great, informative video!

[@KhiraLaine]

Since my (our) son was born I took him to sleep with me at the hospital bed, not even considering the separated bed that was offerd to new born babies. After that we kept sleeping on same bed me, my husband and our son next to me (We are having a Futon bed so no risk of falling from bed..). Breastfeeding got easier and we all slept so well that we were almost embarrassed to say that we don't have any issues at nights with a baby😅. After few months since the baby got bigger we took him to sleep between us. This all came by intuition, we never had heard of Co-sleeping or bed sharing etc.. Once we told our closest ones of the idea to share the bed we didn't get so positive respond to it and even had a baby bed as a gift without asking for it!Because we are both very conscious about what gut feeling has to say it didn't even cross our mind to change the plan. After a bit over 1 year now our son is super developed, he learnd to walk by himself at the age of 9,5 months he is eating by himself long time ago already and drinking from a open cup without any help. This all must be correlation to the experience of feeling secured and trusting own parents and therefore having less stress etc.. Our baby has been coming to sauna with us since he was around 4 months old (we are from Finland, so this was quite important to us 😀).. Alot of people consider this very negative to the relationship between me and my husband and the the development of the toddler as he would not get to be independent in early stage of life... We keep listening what our gut feeling has to say and go with that. We observe our toddler and make our conclusions by that, if he's healthy mentally, emotionally and physically, meaby the gut feeling was correct. Greetings from Finland!

[@annehirsch9964]

Thank you so much for this! I'm a midwife and give the parents the info about safety in bed sharing! I appreciate your perspective so very much!

[@desyxd4400]

I’m having my second, and fully plan on co-sleeping & bed sharing. I did it with my first son as well. I always lied to my doctors though, and told them my babies slept in a crib. I feared they might try to call CPS or something ridiculous. Doctors can be so ignorant about many things, I just lie to skip an argument. Even strictly breastfeeding, my doctors had a problem with, even though my baby was perfectly healthy. They always try to push things, as if they aren’t optional.

[@xxluaxx6]

Former cps worker. And i work in a peds Ed. I’ve bedshared with all 3 of my babies. I keep it a secret from most of my coworkers. I known pediatricians and nurses who cosleeping. We’re all doing it too. Safe sleep edu is one thing but some babies are high needs and can’t settle without your presence.

[@DanielleDeVries-sp4fn]

@@xxluaxx6 Surely bedsharing isn't a reason for doctors to call CPS, right? It's not against any laws that I'm aware of. I told a fill-in NP I was sleeping (safely!) with our new daughter and she tried to reiterate all the risks. I let her know I was probably better versed in the risks and benefits than she was. She also nearly had a cow when she learned I'd had the baby at a standalone birth center, with a certified midwife (not a nurse midwife *GASP*), and was home 4 hours later. I've since made it clear at our clinic that no one in our family will be seen by that NP in the future.

[@xxluaxx6]

@@DanielleDeVries-sp4fn it might be depending on your state. I've seen them try it. That alone isn't enough. But it certainly might change their perception of your parenting so be careful.

[@YourTeenPregnancy]

Thank you! I loved bed sharing with my parents. Today I breast feed and cosleep with my 4 month old baby girl. I will be sharing this video.

[@kimwatkins1719]

Absolutely brilliant - always talk to new parents about safe co-sleeping but this will be great to show them

[@menadlafageemilie]

Thank you so much for these comprehensive, honest and genuine explanations!

[@safehavenacct]

This is the best informational video I've found about co-sleeping. Thank you!

[@saucytabasco]

Thank you for this. You presented this information in a digestible, no nonsense way and underlined how some cultural shifts have brought modern American practice where it is today in comparison with other cultures our the past. We live in a risk adverse society that sometimes exceed what is practical at the expense of a well managed and mitigated plan. Well done being a voice of reason.

[@A107S]

have 3 boys. My first I coslept with one separate surfaces til he was about 5 months. Then we moved him into his own room. I had my second and we did about the same length of roomsharing. I regret not sharing a room longer. Had our third, and we have been doing a mix of room sharing and bed sharing. Safely of course. I’m not stopping until he’s ready to leave. I felt so scared I’d hurt my babies before. But then I’d be a mess waking up checking to see if they were breathing. I feel so much more at peace with this guy right here. I never knew what having my baby in bed with me would do for us. I have an incredible bond with this boy: even more then I did with the other two as babes. I think it’s due to being so close and one through the night. It’s so easy to nurse too. I thank you for this empowering video sir. I wish this knowledge was shared more. It would save a lot of lives.

[@vanna8go]

Great information for new moms! Makes so much sense. Thanks

[@alynflower5457]

Very intelligent guy. Great points. Parents need more info that is not held back so we CAN make the correct decisions and weighing out the risk (which there always is)

[@bsmith9940]

Thank you for educating on this issue!

[@SocksAmpersandSandals]

Thank you for providing such a balanced perspective-my mind is made up. Once my kiddo gets here, we’ll be co-sleeping.

[@furiouskrim]

Well articulated, valuable information. Thanks!

[@euricanete4499]

I breastfeed my baby and 2weeks after she was born I decided to cosleep with my baby me and my husband got more sleep she did too 😊 and as she got older she would just turn around to my breast and we just had this conection when I knew she wanted to feed.....

[@anitaleehoa2828]

Excellent! Thank you doctor.

[@jutta-midwife]

thank you asa midwife for over 30 years I have always advised parents to to so but it is great to share your research and with the help of the internet and your video help more people to understand .

[@kcbluebutterfly2182]

thank you for the information, we definitely learned a lot and you gave more confidence in our choice of co _ sleeping.

[@markfurlong6457]

Great video, thank you for sharing.

[@tonis164]

Fantastic video. Thank you.

[@Brievel]

My mother did bed-sharing with me and my sister, and despite opposition from doctors/nurses/in-laws, I defied them all and am bed-sharing with my newborn son. He always tries to snuggle close, I wake up if he so much as changes his breathing. I do also breastfeed, no smoking or alcohol or drugs in this house... my husband is nervous about it, but much less so than slightly less than two weeks ago. I am definitely keeping this video to have adversaries watch, next time I'm hassled!

[@prajaktakadam5974]

How can parents let the baby sleep alone... it's time to give full attention n attachment with your baby... I can't even imagine to let my son alone ...

[@randomlyboring8358]

Since day 1 he slept with me, though my mom was always concerned of horror stories that i might crush him, suffocate him, but, now he's 1 month, he doesn't sleep in his own bed, he sleeps with me, i can feel he feels safe, and i feel relieved to sleep! Some rest!

[@francinec.5085]

Finally someone that makes sense!

[@monicat777]

Great info. I'm only just trying to get pregnant. (Fingers crossed!) I was looking into this because I'd read so much about it being healthier for a baby to sleep separately from parents. It seems so counter-intuitive to me. I want my baby near me. Glad to learn more. Seems it can be done safely with some precautions. Seems common sense and so natural. TY

[@dhanyaviswanadh7169]

I co sleep with my baby ever since she was born. Now she is 8 months old. My mother did the same when I was a baby.Absolutely there is no problem. It is really easy to feed her or to cuddle with her when she wakes up in between sleep. I can clearly see, she is really attached and feel safe with me and her daddy.

[@oshin33anika]

as a south asian....there is no question your take your kids to sleep in your bed.... when you want to trasition start slow by letting them sleep alone once a week,then gradually increase the days.. simple...

[@kittywhiskerz]

You are so right! I'm a mommy, and my little 5 year old still falls asleep next to me. I don't listen to the statistics that suggest there is something wrong with a child over 3 sleeping with his or her parents. It builds trust, security and a lifelong bond. Plus mommy's bed is memory foam, which my daughter loves ;)

[@bobichina]

Our 14 month son is the happiest baby who is extremely popular everywhere he goes who receiving compliments from strangers every single day. Sometimes ten times a day. He is very outgoing active smart and friendly, social. He is extremely attached to me and pretty much with Dad too. We share bed since he was born

[@celia-ov6rm]

I am all for co-sleeping (same bed) until the baby is about 5-6 months old. Then, the baby should go to his/her bedroom, as by then they can easily sleep 7-8 hours long, as so parents can sleep easier too.

[@mechellecook5034]

My son is almost 5 months and sleep in bed, between my husband and me. I can't even imagine moving him to his own room at night, I love having him near. I do put him in the nursery for day naps so he's slowly getting use to spending time in that room.

[@boj4]

We started out with an armsreach co-sleeper bassinet. When she outgrew that I tried a pack n play next to the bed but I felt she was too far away for me to check on her and touch her. She moved into my bed and we both get more sleep.

[@DrCraigPenny]

Great video, very happy that I found it. We plan on bed-sharing with are new born.

[@stephaniesullivan8513]

Love this thank you for sharing the information. I did not intend to cosleep but breastfeeding is easier when this is done as you said. Will be showing this video to my family.

[@scarlette1337]

I bedshared with each of my babies. Now 13, 11 and 5. 2 years minimum of nursing. Always a safe co sleeping. I slepted so well. My last baby is 5 and we are room sharing still. We are still enjoying this...soon it will end. He will get his own new room. I have enjoyed every minute of co sleeping. Nursing at any time. The closeness. Everything about it. I wore ear plugs lol I wouldnt hear his little sleeping noises. I would magicly wake up to change their diApers and nurse them. I would wake up with 4 wet diApers and no memories of changing them. We were in a bond. In sincronocity. Oh. The dog would sleep with us. (King size bed) And we each had our own space. Husband slept somewhere else CAUSE I SNORED. Lol But to my babies It wouldnt bother them. Co sleep safe. Dont be ashamed. Dont think you are spoiling them. My oldest will be 13. I still remember having him by me in bed. They grow so fast. Safe co sleeping. Use 2 bed barriers on each sides. Each their own blankets and space. Not too much blankets. Each your own spot. No drunk mom. I would do this all over again in a minute...

[@1432amer]

sounds like you enjoyed it trully 😁

[@leena_nicole450]

When researching how to safely have my son bed share with us I had come across an article I think you had written or had shared your research. My son was 3 months old and was outgrowing his co sleeper. I was breastfeeding and couldn’t imagine having to put my son in a separate room or not within arms reach. The solution? We sold our queen size traditional American bed, packed up the duvet and bought a king size Japanese Shikibuton (futon) and bought the baby sleep sacks/ and warm footie pajamas to help keep him warm. He has his area on the bed and nothing nearby besides me. I’m about to become a nurse and it pains me that I cannot help educate new mums on safe bed-sharing practices when I know 80% of them are going to go home and do it anyway. In my fathers culture (pacific islander) bed sharing is commonplace. I grew up seeing it done, but their beds and bedroom set ups were nothing like Western American bedrooms and beds. My son is about to be 8 months old and I don’t struggle with the same sleep problems other mums are having in my mum group because my son lays down and goes right to sleep. No need to sleep train. Unfortunately given most hospital policies it will be against the rules to inform mothers at my job about safe bed sharing. I wish the policies would change.

[@bloomwithjessika4960]

I'm bed sharing with my 6 month old. Initially, we were co sleeping (separate surfaces) with a bassinet next to my side of the bed. But when I returned to work It was mucky easier to bed share. It was so hard to find good information regarding safety because my pediatrician said i shouldn't do it. I found research regarding breastfeeding and bed sharing. I've never smoked in my life, don't drink alcohol and I'm very aware of my baby at nighttime. I don't mind that he wakes up 2-3x per night to nurse. I will be moving him to his crib but room sharing fairly soon.

[@lauraistooawesome]

Thank you Dr. McKenna. The pediatricans' messages are very bias because they must see a lot of physical abuse and neglect that resulted in injuries. Sometimes they are promoting techniques without proper mental health and attachment training, ex.denying co-sleeping benefits, and promoting time-out (just to prevent physical abuse, but may not be the best parenting strategy overall)....Telling parents to be anxious about every little thing in order to prevent choking, injuries, falling down stair and dying...and I think it is way too scary for parents and are making them anxious. "No environment will ever be perfect, there will always be trade-offs and risks you take." Well said!

[@angiechelton6541]

This is fantastic. Sharing with MANY birth worker groups on Facebook!

[@veronicagrave159]

What are the risks of bedsharing? I mean, how many infants actually die from bedsharing? I find that this is often not talked about by those pro- or anti-bedsharing.

[@Riya_njoying]

It's absolutely normal in India where parents share bed with babies. Bed sharing is necessary for emotional bonding and physical growth of children. We have never heard anything like babies dying from bed sharing.

[@paulettemclaughlin9838]

I wish I could have participated in one of your sleep studies! All of my children slept with me, and I received criticism for it. I am not a smoker, but my first husband was and I was therefore subject to some second-hand smoke during my first two pregnancies. Does second-hand smoke affect the infant in the same way that the mother smoking during pregnancy does?

[@kingmufasa8929]

I was too afraid to sleep with my baby when she was very small, but when she got to 3 moths, it was much easier. I breastfeed my girl. She is almost 2 and she helps herself to boob and we all get sleep. Pillows are placed on the floor around the bed. So yeah, whatever works for you. Our little girl is happy and your mother instinct will keep you alert. Doc is right! I GET MORE SLEEP!! WE ALL GET MORE SLEEP!

[@fungdark8270]

I sleep on the couch, lol, it makes me uncomfortable. And I drink sometimes so there’s that. But I’m 100% sending this to my wife, she’s bedshared our sons 6 month life.

[@lisamobley1897]

First, thank you for this video interview. I'm viewing as part of a Developmental Lifespan Psy. Class. Would you please clarify something for me? You stated that a mother who had smoked during pregnancy should not bed share due to increased risk of SIDS. I understand that, that baby's lung development could/was affected due to mom's smoking but wouldn't solo sleeping increase the risk of SIDS? I recall you suggesting that Sensory isolation, which occurs with solo sleeping, is a contributing factor for SIDS. Thank you

[@merlyhartnett]

Great video. Thank you.

[@devotion_emotion]

watchin as my baby sleep next to me ☺️

[@dhananjaibareth4837]

Well look at my case. 11 yrs of fmarrisge, 10 yrs of daughter sleeping in between since birth xause it's a boundary created by my wife... But now I understood word to define my wife - NArcist. Took me years to understand, complained. Fight over , tried my others suggestion but finally after 11 years this article cleared up my mind. Co-sleeping with narcist.... ReL eye opener....😅😢

[@christinaca4681]

Please make hospital disclose sids information

[@awnie12]

For those with multiple kids, how did you cosleep? Did you move the older child into their own room before the new baby arrived? Or did you cosleep with all of your children? How old were your children when they slept on their own? Also, how do you get anything done? It doesn't make sense because when they're up, you're taking care of them, and when they sleep, you're sleeping.

[@malehu]

I suppose encouraging bedsharing doesn't make money for baby companies! I just cannot get my mind around having a nursery room altogether because of the proximity (reasons noted in the video) and frequency of nursing and soothing baby in the first year or so.

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

hello all I just wanted to shear what I feel is an important and overlooked issue. I have found it very important part of the healing from birth trauma path with my now 6.5 daughter to bed in our room when she asks (on yoga matt with sleeping bag until we by king bed)repearenting her in attachment parenting, with co sleeping, non violent communication, unschooling education style and lots of hugs has all allowed he to go through the normal stages of development according to garbor mate(not spelled right)info I watch here on youtube,CO SLEEPING CAN SAVE LIVES AND HEAL DAMAGED RELATIONSHIPS. eaven my non ap hubby is being more responsive.

[@candyluna2929]

I tried to not co sleep. But I had to bc it became more dangerous to not. I would be soo sleepy that I would fall asleep while breastfeeding or burping the baby. They would also fuss more when away from me. So I gave in. Babies have their own space, I naturally do not move around during sleep. I ended up sleeping better and minimized their crying at night.

[@Lizdep]

I bed shared with my parents until I was 15 years old lmao I hated sleeping in the dark and being alone. Your kid will tell you when they are ready!! 😂

[@nataliadapkus5214]

Liz Hiel I hope my baby does not wait until she is 15 lol

[@mhernandez8857]

me at 12 😂😂😂

[@honeysky1102]

Well some will laugh.. but there is no shame in this. :) I'm glad it worked best for you. Have a great day. 🤗

[@christinaca4681]

Change the public health knowledge yes

[@shireenhendricks2194]

Well done Dr. Thanx. Breast is best.

[@jjgems5909]

We have a little swaddleme basket that goes on the bed and baby can sleep in it in the middle of my husband and I. Is that proper co sleeping? It seems to work great for us. My 3 week old has been sleeping almost 5 hours between us.

[@StumbleNH]

Jessica Ramirez It depends on how aware you are of your baby. But it sounds like you both are very aware! Swaddles help soothe our baby too. :)

[@sarahgrasty1336]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@lindsayhayman902]

I slept with my babies, as I was a nursing mom, the only issue I had with bed sharing was that my first son did not want to transition to his own bed. It took me almost 4 years to get him in to his own bed. It caused fights between his father and myself every night as we were no longer sleeping in the bed together because our son was "taking over" Then I had another baby and the bed sharing experience was rather positive, I was able to nurse, sleep and diaper change easily, no issues!

[@noodles7480]

Even my cat and dog sleep with their babies until they reach their teen age.

[@lydiambaziira9138]

Very very funny

[@1432amer]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aa7364]

We didn't share bed with our baby, And actually I feel maybe we were cruel and we didn't need to do that and we could change co sleeping to separate rooms gently at toddlerhood.

[@LightningStriker1]

My recent baby uh Goodluck getting the baby to be in a bassinet even during the day more than 10 mins.

[@themiragereigns]

Co-sleeping/bedsharing is the norm from where I came from. It is shocking to see raised eyebrows here in the western side of the world when they hear you say you are co-sleeping with your baby. Most even encourage sleep training as young as 3 months old.

[@kshaw2307]

How do you know when to stop co-sleeping?

[@desireecordoba4396]

When your child starts to play peek a boo, while you and your husband are having mambo-jambo." I did co sleeping with my two kids. It's the best. The bond with last for make a great impact. But around 2 is three. Your Done!

[@giraffemartina]

The volume on this is very low :(

[@ddo920]

I bed share.

[@Shanels_Talk]

I am a mother of 4 i breast feed all my babys and one of my baby pass away while breast feeding and co sleeping i am so hurt i dont no what i did wrong was it the bed was it me was ot the hospital my medcation oxcodone while breast feeding was it my baby had breathing problems but at this point i will tell people not too co sleep becuse i will never have my baby agen 😢😭😭😭😭 what did i do wrong this time

[@eminemilly]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You did your best dear

[@meganschutte1674]

The medication and the breathing problems...those are two things that go against the rules for safe co sleeping :( I’m very sorry for your loss mama 💗

[@mozorellastick2583]

Sorry for your loss mama

[@marijandesin8226]

At what age should co-sleeping stop?

[@bobichina]

Marijan Desin same question here

[@nadiar6848]

Marijan Desin whenever the child wants to sleep alone. I was 7.it comes naturally. No teen is going to want to sleep in the same bed with their parents. Its selfish that parents force their kids to sleep alone when they cuddle Up together. Kids need to feel safe more than adults. I would always let my kids choose

[@andreannelavoie]

Unfortunately, humans tend to not follow guidelines and instructions given to them (just read information leaflet in most products, and there are so many examples of consequences of disregarding said instructions). It is much simpler to conprehend and follow baby on its back, on a firm mattress, in a crib/bassinet in the parent's room (4 units of information) versus the plethora of conditions needed for safe bed-sharing (firm mattress, no gaps, nor sofa/recliner, no smoking, no drugs, medications? health conditions of the baby and the parents? no pillows or cushions, no heavy blankets, no children, pets?, breastfeeding and more (over 12 units of information!) That is why the recommendations are for seperate surface sleeping. If any one factor is not thoroughly followed, serious consequences may occur. Keep it simple, keep them safe. We all want babies to be safe, separate surface is the only safe sleep surface for a baby.

[@mozorellastick2583]

Did you understand the segment where he talked about SIDS being it’s lowest in non western countries which exclusively bed share until the child is into toddlerhood or even beyond? Don’t say humans can’t follow simple guidelines, say that Americans can’t follow simple guidelines, because the rest of the world seems to be following those guidelines fine, which is why bed sharing and same surface sharing has been the evolutionary and biological norm of the human species who has the most vulnerable and underdeveloped infants of the mammalian kingdom. If same surface sharing or bed sharing is so dangerous, the human species would not evolve to biologically programme for it. Babies and mothers both have the natural instinct to bed share, because it’s safe and easy to carry out safely. 100 years of modern medicine doesn’t negate a hundred thousand years of human evolution

[@PhuongHuynh-qm5th]

why does the US government NOT want you to co-sleep with your baby? It will increase their imune system thus less medical needs for that baby.... less TAX dollars. Honestly more sick people = more money for the government. GOOD health advice comes from professors, researchers, and Asian and European countries.

[@veronicalittle2642]

Best thing I did for both of my baby girls is co-sleep.

[@yonemitsu1]

Also had the problem where he would want to climb into bed up to age 3. I was a basket case since I didn't get sleep for 3 years.

[@mozorellastick2583]

Did u find it hard to sleep when he was in the bed?

[@machellegonzales7366]

I've slept with all my kids in the bed and all fine found it was so much easier especially if you breastfeed got so much more sleep

[@eishamontoya9140]

Love bed sharing & breastfeeding, baby girl will be 1 tomorrow & I wouldn't have it any other way

[@michellejohnson1062]

Hospitalbabyboymothermotherbabiesmombadsonfarthersonmymothermichellemothermombadmothermombadwifebabymommothersonmymothersonfarthermothermykidmothermichellemothermombad