We have co-slept now for three, almost four years. We are working on getting her in her own bed-and she’s doing quite well. What it comes down to for me is that her needs are more important right now than mine.

Also I have worked full time since she was 3 months old, so I feel like she gets bonus bonding time. My husband and I never felt good about letting her cry AT ALL, let alone in the night. They are only little once. And I could care less if people disagree. I’ll be the one taking responsibility for my child’s behavior later on, for better or worse.

Oh, and Mneme: you’re assuming that lovin’ can only take place in the parents’ bedroom. It’s called getting creative, which in turn keeps my marriage fresh and exciting. ;) Sorry for TMI, I just felt that point had to be made.

…as typed by my 3 1/2 yr old. It’s a glaring example (IMHO) of why looking at our children from a simple, indigenous jungle folk point of view is irrelevant for the most part. My son is pretty well versed in the use of a computer (although he obviously can’t spell yet!), and is able to navigate his fav CDs by himself. Certainly not something he would even be exposed to as a jungle child. Conversely, he is totally incapable of identifying edible plants in the bush, and will never need hunting skills at an early age. The society he lives is so far removed from theirs I can’t even see comparing them.

For example, carrying my son around everywhere I go would be great for both of us (‘cept maybe for my back!). But I am a professional with a full time job that wouldn’t be possible with a child on my hip. Stay home I hear someone say? Sure; you cover all my medical bills, my retirement funds and pay for food, room and board for us. These South American folk raise children they way they do because they can, as do we and most other societies. It doesn’t make our child raising practices, nor theirs, wrong; just different.

Btw, we never did a family bed; my lil guy was in his own room by 2 months, and I was back to work in 3. And he’s a happy, bright, independent, well-adjusted lil boy who I suspect will grow up to be a lovely young man.

I never let her cry it out, and she was sleeping like a champ, through the entire night and on her own at a fairly early age. She was also very easy to wean and has always been a smiley and happy baby. I also agree that she is a very mild tempered child and rarely has a ‘fit’… I personally think it’s because I always paid so much attention to her that she is more secure and confident! HOWEVER I also believe that some children just have different personalities, and some children will be difficult no matter what you do, so parents shouldn’t necessarily feel guilty if they have a tempermental child.

Co-sleeping is very safe if you do it the right way. They make lots of products now that allow you to co-sleep safely including a 1/2 crib that actually attaches to the side of your bed so that you are co-sleeping but in separate areas (if that makes sense). I LOVED it, can’t beat a good nights sleep! The baby sleeps much better next to you.

Co-sleeping is natural. Breastfeeding is natural. Taking care of your child is natual. You are responsible for your children!

We didn’t co-sleep, mostly because The Child turns into Joe Louis in her sleep and is a kick/punch/smack machine. Girlfriend needs her space, I guess.

I know some parents of utterly miserable children who read EVERY book out there and are compulsively reading every message board they can find on the Internet, desperately looking for validation of the choices they make. I say, put the books down, log off the computer, and pay attention to your kid!

If what you’re doing is working for you, then it should matter what some jackass commenter on a message board/blog thinks.

But cosleeping IS statistically proven to be dangerous (at least in terms of children under two) and not only that, it encourages bad habits in the children who are allowed to do it. Like Krie above stated, I don’t know anyone who cosleeps that has gotten their kids to sleep in their OWN beds yet – and some of these kids are in the third and fourth grades at this point. That’s a little weird, if you ask me.

Also, I don’t even want to know what the sex lives of these parents are like that have kids that old sleeping with them.