Co-Sleeping

Have you ever heard of the concept of "Co-Sleeping"?  It's basically the idea that you sleep with your child.  Here is a more official definition.

"Cosleeping (sometimes spelled co-sleeping, and also known as bed sharing or "having a family bed") is the practice of having your infant in your bed with you during sleep. Cosleeping promotes breastfeeding and bonding, and it is safer than crib/cot sleeping when practiced correctly. Cosleeping beyond the breastfeeding years is common in many non-Western cultures, and even in the West many families choose to extend cosleeping through toddlerhood and well into middle childhood."

This is actually a pretty hot button issue with a lot of parents and I'm certainly not trying to start any controversy or anything, but holy cow, this is an awful idea!  While on vacation this past week, Julia decided that she did not want to sleep in her own bed.  We could usually eventually get her to sleep in her pack n play, but she would wake up in the middle of the night almost every day!  So when she would wake up, we would just lay her down in bed with us.  This is such an oddity for her, because she is usually an awesome sleeper!  From the very beginning, we would put her down to sleep in her own crib and she would sleep through the night.  I would say that 90% of the time, we can just lay her down and she will go right to sleep without too much of a fuss.  And stay asleep which is even better! 

Unfortunately, this was not the case this past week!  When we would eventually bring her to our bed, not surprisingly, it turned out that she does not share a bed very well.  On those nights when we would bring her to our bed, nobody slept well.  She would just lay there and talk to herself or poke me to see if I was awake.  She would ask for mommy, grandma, ice cream, swimming, bubbles... and on and on it would go until she would eventually fall asleep.  And then the flailing would begin!  Kids flail around... a lot!  Eventually, I would be laying sideways, precariously balancing on the very edge of the bed, with Julia laying nearly sideways across the middle. 

I recently saw a magazine that had an article mentioned on the cover entitled, "Co-sleeping, the most powerful bonding time with your child".  I say "No Thank you!".  I will bond with you in the morning when I am properly rested!

Not being able to rest is one huge issue, but there is a whole other issue that arises when you are sharing your bed with your child.  When you have a toddler in your bed, how are you supposed to have time for other mommy and daddy bedroom activities?  Of course I mean pillow fights and jumping on the bed.  What were you thinking? 

If co-sleeping is your thing, then go for it.  I for one, will not be joining in!  We were so happy to get back home to our own toddler free bed and I'm sure, Julia was happy to have her own bed back as well!