The Family Bed

This week my mom's group had a discussion on sleep. We all agreed that it what works for one kid might not work for another. It totally depends on the child and the family. While I'm a strong opponent of cry-it-out / Babywise / Ferberizing, etc. I think that each approach has some merit. We've primarily been doing the family bed. That's where you sleep with your baby in your bed. The baby is not in a co-sleeper. So, here's what I know and like about the family bed:

• Lower risk of SIDS. This is due to three things. First, family bed babies are more likely to sleep on their back or side than babies sleeping elsewhere. This in itself lowers the risk of SIDS. Second, mama and baby will sync their breathing up when in the family bed. This means that if baby stops breathing mom will naturally wake up to see what's wrong. Third, babies who sleep in the family bed breath better. Newborn babies who sleep outside of the family bed have relatively frequent dips in their breathing. Newborns who sleep in the family bed have few to no dips.
• Synced sleep patterns. Mom and baby will sync their sleeping patterns in the family bed. When baby stirs, mama stirs. Mama is naturally able to anticipate baby's needs and (usually) meet them without waking. You know what this means? I touch and feed Baby T when he needs me to without fully waking up. I get soooo much more rest.
• Better sleeping for both baby and mama. Since mama is more aware of baby's needs and baby's needs are address quickly both partners sleep for longer and more restful periods of time. When we do family bed Baby T falls immediately back to sleep after eating. When he's in his crib I don't hear him until he's upset and it takes 30-60 minutes to calm him back to sleep.
• Bonding. The more time you spend with your baby the more opportunities you have to bond. I love sleeping with Baby T. In the morning we cuddle for a few minutes before getting out of bed. He's always his happiest, smiling and cooing, during this time.