Co-sleeping is where babies and young children sleep in close proximity to one or both parents. This is a standard practice in many parts of the world and is also sometimes now used in countries where cribs are also used. Bed-sharing, as part of co-sleeping, is also sometimes practiced where babies and young children sleep in the same bed with one or both parents. Infants may also share the same bed.

Mothers may get more sleep by co-sleeping and breast-feeding their babies than by other arrangements. Co-sleeping runs counter to the belief that it alters the infant’s sleep experience. In fact, co-sleeping and bed sharing can work well for some parents.

Stress hormones are believed to be lower in mothers who co-sleep with their babies – specifically regarding the balance of the stress hormone cortisol which is essential for a baby’s healthy growth. Infants who also stay close to their mothers may have higher levels of growth hormones and enzymes necessary for brain and heart growth. Similarly, babies who co-sleep with their mothers have more stable physiology, more steady body temperature, more regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing compared to babies who sleep alone.

Co-sleeping may promote the long-term emotional health of babies. Infants who co-sleep with their parents have been found to be happier, calmer more confident and less likely to be afraid of sleep. They have fewer behavioral problems and tend to be more comfortable with intimacy. Interestingly, they have also been found to be more independent when they become adults.

However, precautionary measures must be observed when co-sleeping with babies especially when bed-sharing. Young children should not sleep with babies under nine months of age. And babies should not be left unattended in an adult bed even if the bed surface is safer than a crib surface.

Co-sleeping and bed-sharing can be beneficial to your baby’s emotional growth. But this is very much a matter of choice for parents.

You always want the best for your baby. You may obsess about your baby’s health because moms want to ensure that their baby grows up happy and healthy and, it seems, all moms know about well-baby visits at the pediatrician’s office.  

However, one well-baby visit that is not as well known is a baby’s first trip to the eye doctor.

Studies indicate one in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems. Unfortunately, many children at risk for eye and vision problems are not being identified at an early age when many of those problems might be prevented or more easily corrected.  And since babies are not born with clear vision, they need to learn to see over a period of time.  A complete eye assessment for babies between six and 12 months of age can determine healthy visual development.

One public health program is managed by The AOA Foundation InfantSEE®.