People call it many different things--co-sleeping, shared sleeping, family bed--but it all boils down to whose head hits the pillow where. There are staunch advocates on both, polar-opposite sides of the issue. Some folks believe that firm space boundaries between parent area and kid area are necessary for emotionally healthy development. Others are committed to the notion that a constant physical connection or near-connection between parents and children provides a sense of security not possible with forced separation. I am in the wear ‘em, nurse ‘em, and make room for ‘em in the middle camp and I have no regrets about it. It’s how I feel most comfortable. There are many things I love about family bed--spending a few magic moments together before the whirlwind of the day starts, having them handy for nursing, knowing for sure they are breathing, having a human hot water bottle--but it’s not all great. Waking up soggy, and all the sheet changing that goes with it, is not fun. Getting kicked repeatedly in the back or stomach by a toddler who is forming the center bar of a parent “H” is
not conducive to quality sleep. And if you have a sleep-talking kid, peace and quiet are at a premium. But I wouldn’t trade the great moments for all the Zs in the alphabet. In Rosemary Wells’ Goodnight Max, one little guy milks bedtime attention for all it’s worth. If they practiced family bed, his big people would do a lot less running around.http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Max-Ruby-Rosemary-Wells/dp/0670887072
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/wells.html
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