Baby Saoirse loves co-sleeping. And so do we! Co-sleeping benefits for mummy, daddy and baby
Co-sleeping benefits. There are so many! Actually, co-sleeping benefits the whole family.
For us, co-sleeping brings more sleep. And, therefore, more joy, love and happiness into our lives. So, we love co-sleeping! However, always go for your own gut feeling. Just follow your heart. As you know your family best! ♡
Read on to find out:
- Co-sleeping benefits for your baby
- Benefits co-sleeping for mummy
- Why daddy also benefits
- Why baby needs you near
- Summary
Co-sleeping benefits for baby
First of all:
Baby benefits enormously from co-sleeping.
Feeling save and heard
The most important thing for a (newborn) baby is to feel save. When a baby feels save there is no need to cry out loud. Baby’s first communicate with softer signals. Like sounds and movements. When there is no response she will cry out loud. As the last resort.
Having your baby near, they cry much less. As you are close you can quickly respond to the baby’ first signals. So, there is no need to cry out loud.
Saoirse only cries when she is hungry. When I’m not quick enough with my response. For example: when I’m changing her clothes and she is hungry. And I’m not fast enough with feeding her. This mostly happens in her cluster-feeding weeks. When she is constantly hungry – and fussy.
No crying at night
Saoirse never cries at night. You could say that we are lucky. Which we are.
But having baby close, really helps to reduce the need for crying. Because babies never start crying out loud. As they’ll first signal. For example, by movement, fussing and making soft noises.
When you respond fast(er) to your baby’ signals. They don’t need to go in danger mode: which is crying out loud. So, having your baby near helps against crying.
As you are close and can quickly respond to the first signs of discomfort. Which results in a happy baby, who doesn’t need to cry out loud. All because baby feels safe and heard.
It is in baby’s nature to be near mama
It is in baby’s nature to be near mama. Because in the womb they feel safe. Where there is constant food. Namely by the placenta. Whilst hearing the comfort of your heartbeat. All-day, all night.
Can you imagine? Being new to our earth. Where you are put in a quiet room. With no food and safety near…This is such a huge change!
Although nowadays society is more “developed”. Or how I’d prefer to say: materialised. Our babies are still being born with the same needs and instincts as thousands of years before.
The only thing a newborn baby really needs is mum
To be near, to feel safe, to be fed.
It is in babies’ instinct to cry when they don’t feel safe. Or when they are hungry. Which is totally normal. With co-sleeping, you create an environment where baby feels safe. Therefore, your baby will cry much less. Or not at all.
Baby needs you near to feel save
Back in the days. When we were still living in caves. And daddy was out hunting and collecting seeds. Mama was with baby. And the baby was close to mama (or another woman from the tribe) 24/7. As it would be un-save to be on your own in the wild nature. With lots of predators around.
Nowadays baby is perfectly safe alone in its crib. However, your little one still has the same instincts. Because of these primal instincts, your baby needs you near to feel safe.
Benefits co-sleeping for mum
Sleeping close to your baby feels so natural. After giving birth I found it so strange that my baby isn’t longer in my body. It felt so natural to keep her close to me. All the time.
Being a co-sleeping mama: I highly recommend it!
Better sleep
My nights are great – for being a mum. Saoirse makes noise when she needs to eat. So I breastfeed her. Because she is sleeping in my arms I just stay in bed. As easy as that! And doze of back in sleep…
I know there is a lot of different views on this. But I just share how it works for us. Of course, you only do what feels good for you!
As we are also practising Elimination Communication. Which means Saoirse goes to the potty from birth.
She will kick her legs when she needs to go for a poo. Which happens two times a night maximum. Around morning time. So I go out of bed and give her a “Pottunity”. Then we go back to bed and we sleep again.
More oxytocin
Oxytocin is a magical hormone. The so-called: love hormone. This is your best friend during pregnancy, birth and beyond. As it reduces your stress hormones and makes you feel great!
This magical hormone also helps you to doze into sleep faster. After feeding your baby at night. Breastfeeding is an amazing oxytocin producer. But, also co-sleeping with your baby generates these love hormones.
Why daddy also benefits
Why daddy also benefits from co-sleeping? This is short and simple. Daddy gets more sleep. The first weeks after Saoirse was born daddy was sleeping 8 hours. Without any problems.
No need for loud crying
Saoirse didn’t cry out loud – at all. As soon as she was making soft noises: “a-a-a”. Mama woke up and started breastfeeding. Daddy won’t even notice and just kept on sleeping.
Happy daddy
So, daddy is super happy with co-sleeping. And didn’t feel tired at all during the newborn phase. And beyond.
Why baby needs you near
Instinctually, your baby needs you near. Your little one doesn’t only need food. Also, baby’ brain development relies on the mother near. When your baby hears a sound. For example the barking of the dog, or a door that slaps. She doesn’t know if it is something to worry about. So, baby’ brain notices the response of mama:
Is mama relaxed?
Baby feels save.
So, no need for crying.
Mum gets upset?
As a result, baby will cry too.
When mummy (or daddy) is not near. Baby doesn’t know how to cope with new sensations. So, every new sound is upsetting. Therefore, an infant will cry (and wake up) much more.
Summary
Co-sleeping benefits the whole family. As it reduces the need for crying.
Your little one wants – or basically needs – to be near you to feel safe. This is how a baby’s brain is programmed. When the baby feels safe there is no need to cry.
Mummy can easily respond to the first signals of hunger. As she is nearby. Again no need for loud crying at night.Which results in better sleep. And more oxytocin: the love hormone. Yay
Sweet dreams to you all!
Do you have a family bed?
What is your experience with co-sleeping? Do you also have a family bed? Or are you planning to sleep together?
Please share your experience with us!
And comment in the section below.
