12/17/2022
Infants’ biology expects and benefits from being close and connected to a caregiver until they develop the skill of self regulation.
For all of human history, about 200 000 years, caregivers have slept close to babies and children, either in the same bed or in the same room. SEE MY HIGHLIGHTS FOR LINKS TO SAFE SLEEP GUIDELINES
However, due to some powerful influences, babies and children have been expected to sleep alone in low nurture societies for the past 100-200 years. The belief that babies should sleep alone is widely held and strongly defended to an intriguing and alarming degree.
However, when we look at the science, there really is no debate about whether babies should sleep alone or near their caregivers. We know infants benefit tremendously by sharing sleep — sleeping close to caregivers as humans have always done. Parents also benefit from sharing sleep.
There are many ways that this can happen and every family finds their unique way. Sleeping alone is not linear, your baby or child may go through times when they prefer sleeping alone and other times when they prefer sleeping close.
Join me tomorrow Dec 16 at 1 pm EST Live to ask questions about normal infant sleep and hear about a new certification- Infant and Family Sleep Professional- available now 💤🧠💤
