Kourtney Kardashian recently wrote an essay (of sorts) for People.com on the benefits of sleeping with her son, Mason Disick. She was writing on how “controversial” co-sleeping is still considered, even though there may not be facts to back up the argument. When I had my first son, 10 years ago (wow, that’s scary) it was a big no-no to co-sleep with your children. I remember my pediatrician telling me that not only could I roll over him and suffocate him, but it also has links to SIDS. Needless to say, I NEVER slept with my babies. Closest thing I ever came to it was when I would be breastfeeding in the middle of the night, and literally fall asleep while I held him.
My babies slept next to my bed in a bassinet until they were too big to sleep comfortably in the small bed. I have several friends who have co-slept and they love it. One thing I do know, is this parenting thing goes by in a flash, and we should eat up each special moment with our kids that we can. I love it when my youngest (7) crawls in bed with me at night…I just don’t think I could do it everyday!
In the years since I’ve had my sons, the tune has actually changed on co-sleeping. NOW studies are saying that co-sleeping actually reduces the risks for SIDS, among other things. Personally, I don’t think I would have co-slept no matter what. I’m a delicate flower that needs its sleep in order to function. If I had a baby next to me, I would never have gotten the sleep I needed to be a half decent mother. But that’s just me!
Not to mention that if I had my babies in bed with me, my husband would have gone mad… those are hard times after a baby is born, and husband’s need special attention just like babies.
Here’s what Kourtney had to say about it to People Magazine:
When Mason first came home from the hospital, he slept in a bassinet right next to my bed. I remember those early days when he was often up all night and asleep all day. Scott and I would take turns staying up with him, singing to him, rocking him, doing anything and everything to get the little angel to sleep.
I was told that Mason would eventually switch around on his own — so he’d be awake during the day and sleeping at night — which he finally did.
When I was pregnant, a few of my friends told me that their babies slept in bed with them. I remember thinking how crazy that was. Then I started reading up on it and decided it was something I actually wanted to try.
I know that having Mason sleep in my bed might be a controversial topic. But I have to be honest: I just love that time. I especially love how when you sleep with your baby, you breathe together on the same pattern. I’ve been able to bond with Mason so much more. Even if I’ve had a busy day, I always look forward to every night and us spending time together when we sleep.
Mason still sleeps in the bed right now. We take all the pillows off the bed to make it as safe as we can. I try to have him take naps in his crib if we’re home. When we’re on the go, he naps in his car seat and he loves that.
I really have mixed feelings about the whole topic. Some people say co-sleeping for the first two years is good, but now people are telling me the longer he sleeps in the bed with us, the harder it will be to get him to sleep on his own down the line. Of course, ultimately I want what is best for Mason, so I’m really battling with it right now.
SPEAK UP!: What do you think about co-sleeping? What was your experience?
Posted Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 11:11am
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Kourtney Kardashian |
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