Episode 13: Why bedsharing may be the best kept secret and how to do it safely

In this episode of the Nourishing Birth and Beyond podcast, host Candy Elsbeth and guest Amy explore the topic of bed sharing with children. They discuss the practicalities of creating a family bed, the emotional and physical benefits of co-sleeping, and the societal pressures and misconceptions surrounding it. They also share personal experiences, highlighting the importance of safe sleeping practices and the impact of parenting choices on family dynamics.

In this episode of the podcast we talk about:

• We discuss insights into both the advantages and potential drawbacks of bedsharing.
• Amy shares her journey of creating a family bed, including practical tips like using bed slats and connectors for safety.
• We touch on the societal views and pressures regarding co-sleeping, and how these affect parenting decisions.
• We both discuss the emotional benefits of bedsharing, such as increased bonding and comfort for both parents and children.
• We talk in-depth about safe concerns with references to guidelines like the Safe Sleep Seven to ensure a secure sleeping environment.
• Our personal anecdotes highlight the evolving nature of parenting choices and the importance of adapting to what works best for each family.

Sound bites from this episode:

“Babies are asleep for the majority of their life. So if you’re not sleeping with your baby, that’s a lot of bonding, connecting cuddles to miss out on.”

“I was terrified. And even now, if I had another baby now, I mean, I’ve still got my next to me crib because I don’t even know if I would be confident enough to sleep with a newborn baby, because my baby was four months when I started bed sharing. And there’s still that whole fear in me of, you know, the whole world saying, if you sleep with your baby, they will die.”

“Ultimately, the important thing to say, though, is that bed sharing is very safe. It is very safe. It’s biological norm. And there are just a few things that you need to make sure you’re adhering to to make it safe. And something like 70 to 80% of parents will fall asleep with their little one at some point, even if they weren’t planning to bedshare.”