There are many pros and cons to co-sleeping, and before you make a decision you need to consider them all carefully.
Parents often choose to (or not) sleep with their child for many reasons, and it is important to understand these reasons before deciding for yourself.
First and foremost co-sleeping offers increased feelings of closeness between parent(s) and child.
This added closeness often leads to much better sleep for the child, typically resulting in much better sleep for the parents too! Babies tend to feel safer and more content when sleeping with parents, and usually have a much easier time falling asleep.
Co-sleeping babies have an easier time trusting parents to meet their needs, and studies have shown that these children tend to have more confidence and better self-esteem as they grow.
Another benefit to co-sleeping with your baby is the convenience of breastfeeding.
Both mother and child can stay in bed and can more easily breastfeed for longer periods of time.
In this way both the mother and the child can remain in bed resting and have far fewer sleep disturbances during this period.
One of the most important benefits of co-sleeping is the increased awareness of your baby when sleeping in the same bed.
This awareness can lead to decreased worry on the part of the parent.
But more importantly, this awareness can be helpful in instances involving nighttime health problems.
Studies have shown that co-sleeping may reduce the risk of SIDS when parents are nonsmokers and avoid alcohol and certain medications.
Your own steady breathing can help your child's respiration to settle into a steady pattern! One must also consider the risks that are associated with co-sleeping.
A baby should never be left alone on an adult bed without supervision.
Even with a parent, there exists the risk that a baby may fall off a bed.
Some companies offer special three-sided cribs the same height as your bed.
These greatly reduce the risk of falls.
Co-sleeping with your child can lead to decreased intimacy between parents.
Some couples use the opportunity to get more creative with their intimate practices.
If parents are unwilling to get creative or let the grandparents babysit now and again, then things may cool down between spouses for a while.
If parents are overweight or are smokers, then the risk of SIDS is increased.
Aside from smoking and obesity, you should also avoid alcohol and there are some medications that can interfere with your nighttime breathing, leading to increased occurrences of SIDS.
Even if you're just an exceptionally sound sleeper you should probably avoid co-sleeping.
Blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, even your own pajamas could cause the baby to choke or suffocate.
Beds with fancy headboards should be avoided, as well as pillow-top mattresses or any very soft surface.
These can lead to suffocation.
A bed with any amount of space between the mattress and a wall, headboard, or other surface can cause the baby's head or body to become trapped.
If you take careful safety precautions and are a healthy parent willing to use common sense, co-sleeping has wonderful benefits.
However if any of these conditions can't always be met then your baby's safety comes first and there's nothing wrong with using a crib.