We are a family that co-sleeps

[Shared by Tea Cake and my Boy]

Co-sleeping…we are a family that co-sleeps. Yes, we might be at odds with the modern childcare experts who think that children are best settled in their own rooms as early as possible to make them independent, blah blah. I also dread to think what Supernanny would say, but it works for us. Sometimes I actually wonder if people forget that in many parts of the world it is still in fact the norm, not the exception.

I find it a natural way to parent – it’s easy to soothe my little one when he’s unwell or was teething (we are finally through that hooray hooray), and our breathing seems to calm each other down into instant sleep. I am very much of the mindset that my son will tell me what he needs as he always has done. He did let us know when he was ready to drop naps, start weaning, stop his bottle (yes that’s right STOP his bottle, he told us that), and even when he had gastroenteritis he knew exactly what his body needed. So for the time being he needs our bed. 

It wasn’t always this way. As a baby he loved his cot. Yes, after returning from holiday he needed to spend nights in our bed to adjust to the new surroundings of being back home and getting back into his old routine, but he would then let us know that he was ready to go back into his cot. This was usually after a week or so. Again, I think this says a lot about him communicating what he needs to us. After an awful period last October when he had croup (it really was a horrendous illness), coupled with multiple ear infections since, he has decided it’s our bed for now. 

As to what my husband thinks…honestly, he is of the mindset that if our little one and I are happy, then he is happy. That’s all that matters to him. He is a very laid back man and a softie like me, I am lucky.

To all mums out there…trust your instincts and do what feels right for your child. Dont’ feel pressured by family, friends or health professionals. I remember having comments from people (might add not family actually) saying “that’s a slippery slope” or “oh if you start that he’ll be in your bed until he’s seven or older.” Well, so what if he is?! He’s only just three for goodness sake and suffers with his ears, so needs the comfort of being near us. 

So… I’m very proud to say we co-sleep and it has been really great to know of other mums on Twitter that do, so thanks Twitter for making me feel not so alone and that it’s not just us.

I have to say I did think co-sleeping would be like the picture above. In reality it’s more like this…

This really made me smile…if you have ever slept in a bed with an infant or toddler you will know exactly what I’m talking about… (I am sure at times, especially during the teething process I have had ALL these happen to me in one night, many times in a row for that matter but that is for another post)…

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