To share, or not to share

The recent science behind co-sleeping has proven that it fosters healthier children and promotes family bonding. Why then is there so much contention surrounding it?

Co-sleeping is the shared sleeping arrangement between parents and their child. Here in Asia, co-sleeping is widely considered to be the norm, thanks in part to limited living space in densely populated cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore. A 2012 study by National University Hospital (NUH), found that 80.9% of families in Singapore co-slept.

However, this is an entirely different story in the West, where co-sleeping remains a controversial issue, and not for no reason. While some believe that sleep-sharing is a wonderful way to bond with your children, others fear it makes them too dependent and needy. Such reservations are common for those against sleep-sharing. These fears, however, have been debunked by experts who believe that co-sleeping is extremely beneficial to children.

Quick Guide To Sleeping Tight

1. Encourage your child to sleep on her back with her head on a good supporting pillow. This is to ensure she can breathe without obstruction.
2. Never leave your child alone in bed. Without supervision, young toddlers may easily roll off beds and hurt themselves.
3. Remove anything that might suffocate your baby. This includes extra pillows, fluffy duvets and stuffed animals. Bedding and blankets should be tucked tightly into the bed to further reduce risk of suffocation.
4. Ensure there are no gaps children can get stuck in. Move your bed away from the wall to ensure there isn’t any space between it and the adjoining wall where your child can roll over and get trapped.
5. Consider using a co-sleeper cot. These specially designed cribs can be placed beside your bed so you can lie next to your child while you both sleep.