Thesis: While bed sharing may not work for every family it is important for child experts to recognize the value which co sleeping may offer.
1. Introduction
A. Numerous studies presented by experts of excellent reputation suggest that not only is sleeping with your baby safe, but it is actually much safer than having your baby sleep in a crib. Research shows that infants who sleep in a crib are twice as likely to suffer a sleep related fatality including SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) than infants who sleep in bed with their parents. (Gruber,Sobralske, pg.54)
B. Almost everyone can relate to co-sleeping, whether you are a parent now or will become one the immediate future.
1. Sleeping with your newborn is beneficial for both parents and their baby.
2. We all could have at one time or another slept beside our parents as infants and have no recollection.
C. I have shared the family bed with all three of my daughters’ believing that it was the best choice in my situation.
1. I know from experience how beneficial sleeping beside your newborn can be.
D. Despite numerous negative views some people have on this controversial topic, co-sleeping can have many positive attributes that are often ignored.
1. A few examples would be; breast feeding is more convenient resulting in getting more sleep, mother and baby have a better bonding experience, and it could help reduce the risk S.I.D.S.

Transition: To begin, let us get into more detail why these reasons for co-sleeping can be favorable.

1. Body
A. Breast feeding is less challenging on both the baby and mother at night.
1. “Most skilled breastfeeding mothers have, for survival, learned that sharing sleep makes nightly feedings easier.
2. Breastfeeding mothers find it easier than bottle-feeding mothers to get their sleep cycles in sync with their infants Dr. Sears, pg. 12).”
B. Nursing moms who co-sleep with their babies report feeling better rested. Because they do not have to leave the bed to nurse, their sleep patterns are less disturbed and they feel more alert and focused during the daytime.
1. We have concluded that baby senses that mom is more tranquil, and her milk-producing hormones work better when she is relaxed or sleeping (Dr. Sears, Pg. 12).”
C. “A reported health benefit of bed sharing is that it facilitates increased frequency and duration of breastfeeding (Goldberg, Keller, pg.332).” Transition into main point 2: Those are just a few examples of why co-sleeping can improve breastfeeding which in turn leads to a stronger bond between mother and baby.
11. Body
A. Co sleeping Can Have Positive Effects on Self-Esteem and Family Closeness 1. “ Co-sleeping is common and seen as a healthy bonding experience in many cultures worldwide; warmth, security, confidence, and a sense of wellbeing are factors suspected as being incentives to co-sleeping (Gruber,Sobralske,pg.474).”
B. Over the past thirty years of observation of sleep sharing families in our pediatric practice, we have noticed one medical benefit arise from this; these babies flourish. 1. “Thriving means not only getting larger, but also growing to your full potential, emotionally, physically, and intelligently (Dr.Sears.pg. 13).” C. In my own experience, my husband and I would split up the nights as evenly as possible. By doing this my husband did not feel left out and was able to connect with the baby. 1. Simple things like warming a pumped bottle, changing diapers, and soothing our baby he was able to experience first-hand bonding letting me get some extra sleep. 3. When I would chat with other women who breastfeed but not bed share their biggest complaint was that their husbands were not as helpful at night. This made my husband feel extraordinarily special. Transition into main point 3: In addition to building a stronger bond with your baby co-sleeping is also confirmed to help reduce the possibility of S.I.D.S.
111. Body
A. Bed-sharing can help reduce sudden infant death syndrome.
1. It is proven babies and their mothers share a deep physiological connection. In multiple case studies chest monitors were placed on the baby and the parents revealing that the baby synchronized his/her heart rate to that of the mother or father.
2. “There are possible protective mechanisms which include breathing regulation for the baby who is next to the mother, and the closeness of the mother in the event of a breathing problem or other physiological disturbances (McKenna, pg. 332).”
3. “Studies suggests that babies at risk of SIDS have a reduced awakening response during sleep, it seems logical that anything that increases the infant’s arousal from sleep or the mother mindfulness of her infant during sleep may decrease the risk of SIDS(Dr.Sears,pg.14).”
111. Conclusion
A. To conclude, co-sleeping when done in a responsible way has positive effects for both parent and baby which include the following
1. Nighty feedings are less exhausting on the breastfeeding mother.
2. Bed-sharing with your baby creates a stronger bond
3. With safe practice co-sleeping can prevent S.I.D.S.
B. In spite of all the bad views some people have on co-sleeping; it can have numerous positives that go unseen.
C. Parents should be educated about the dangers of not bed-sharing safely with their infant. For Instance: 1. Adults should not bed share if inebriated or if desensitized by drugs, or overly exhausted. 2. Parents should never sleep on a couch alone or with a parent. 3. Make sure your bed's headboard and footboard don't have openings or cutouts that could trap your baby's head. Make sure all bedding is away from the babies face. D. James L. McKenna, Ph.D. states, “Often news stories talk about “another baby dying while co sleeping” but they fail to distinguish between what type of co sleeping was involved and, worse, what specific dangerous factor might have actually been responsible for the baby dying. Nothing can be further from the truth.”