what is co-sleeping

This post is not meant to be offensive to ANYONE! It is not putting down anyone else methods. It's simply explaining ours because people have questioned me about it. <3

 

 http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/familybed/

 What is co-sleeping?

Co-sleeping essentially means sleeping in close proximity to your child. It may be in the same bed or just in the same room. Some ways of co-sleeping that different families use are:

• Bed-sharing/Family Bed:
  Parent(s) sleep in the same bed with the child.
• Sidecar arrangement:
  Securely attach a crib to one side of the parents’ bed, next to the mother. Three sides of the baby’s crib are left intact, but the side next to the parents’ bed is lowered or removed so that mother and baby have easy access to one another. Commercial cosleeper/sidecar cribs are also available.
• Different beds in the same room:
  This might include having baby’s bassinet or crib within arm reach of the parents (easier at night) or just in the same room; or fixing a pallet or bed for an older child on the floor next to, or at the foot of, the parents’ bed.
• Child welcomed into parents’ bed as needed:
  The baby/child has her own bedroom, but is welcomed into the parents’ bed at any time. In many families, children start their overnight hours in a separate bed or room, but are welcomed into the parents’ bed after a night waking.

When Jude came home we made the choice that co-sleeping/room sharing was for us. We have been told that Jude would become to reliant. I challenge that with the fact that all my little sister co-slept and have turned into wonderful self-reliant little girls. We were told that we wouldn't have a sex life. I can assure you that is not the case ;). We chose this because it fits our family. I feel better with my son right with me. We do some bed sharing for a little while at night sometimes,but Jude sleeps in his own bed directly against my side. We do not believe in the cry it out method. We hold/rock Jude to sleep everynight in the livingroom with us. Once he falls asleep if we want to hold him we do, if not we place him in a playpen in the corner of our livingroom. He sleeps there until bed when we move him to the bedroom with us. I'm not stupid. I know that won't last forever. I know eventually we may have to move him to the bedroom but we will do this when the time comes. We know people who are very strict in their bedtime ways and making sure the baby sleeps in their own room. THATS FINE! if it fits your life it's your baby and what works best for your family. We just wanted to explain to everyone who has questions or comments :)