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Co Sleeping
Is It Right For You And Your Baby?
By Search EzineArticles.com
Since civilization began, mothers have
taken advantage of the convenience of sleeping with their babies. It
has only been in the past two centuries among industrialized and
Western nations that sleeping separately from your baby has become
appropriate. Research shows that infants who share a bed with their
mothers cry less often and nurse for longer periods of time.
Co-sleeping will provide extra nourishment at night and added
protection for your baby. Sleeping with the mother gives the baby a
steady supply of feelings and sensations that could possibly compensate
for the neurological immaturity an infant has at birth.
Co-sleeping
may provide some
protections from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Infants who sleep
with their mothers sleep less soundly and have an increased awareness
of the maternal presence. Some SIDS death have been associated with
arousal
deficiencies in the part of the infant. The increased arousal of the
infant by the presence of the mother could make a difference in the
number of SIDS deaths experienced in this country each year, although
this has yet to be proven scientifically.
The
habits of the parents must be
considered in determining if co-sleeping is right for a particular
baby. Smoking, drugs, or alcohol are the predominant factors in cases
where the baby is accidentally smothered. Co-sleeping has been
practiced for thousands of years until relatively recently. The
benefits of co-sleeping are numerous while the disadvantages are few.
Use your own judgment and take into consideration your lifestyle when
deciding if co-sleeping is right for you and your baby. The changing
views of the past several decades have made the practice of co-sleeping
undesirable in some cultures. Our ancestors routinely slept with their
as
a means of protection and
convenience. Only you can decide if co-sleeping is appropriate for your
family.
Jennifer Houck is a proud attachment
mom to two beautiful girls. Be sure to visit her at http://www.attachmentmoms.com
and http://www.ilovebeingamom.com
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