GainesvilleMoms.com

According to an msnbc.com article, many moms risk SIDS by sharing the bed with babies. Click here to read the full article.

We never really let our daughter sleep in our bed. I was always worried about it not being safe. And my husband and I wanted to at least have our nights alone, which is about the only time we get. She had no problem staying in her crib/toddler bed. But there were a couple special nights we made an exception.

What about you? Did you or do you let your baby sleep in your bed? What do you think about co-sleeping?

Do to SIDS I would never let my child sleep on her belly. However I am guilty of letting my child sleep with me. For the first 3 months or so she would sleep in a bassinet next to our bed. She always had to have me pat her back to put her to sleep and she would always cuddle up next to the edges of the bassinet. Night times became a battle once she outgrew her bassinet. I don't know if the crib was to big or uncomfortable, but she just would not stay asleep. She went from getting up only once at night to 6 to 7 times. So unfortunately I gave in and decided to try the crib a little later. Once a week I would try again....now she sleeps in her crib and thank goodness she stays asleep.

We never thought once about having either of the kids sleep with us - that's why they have their own beds! I am not judging anyone who enjoys the co-sleeping thing, but I have to fight for sleep space and covers with hubby and various pets, no way I was adding another person in the mix. Plus, I just don't see the need. Each of us has a parenting style that may or may not be the same as your friend/family/co-worker etc but you just have to figure out what works best for your family. I would be so worried about a small baby getting lost in the covers/pillows or then falling off the edge/foot that I don't think I could relax enough to sleep. (mind you we had an 18 inch deep mattress, plus the box spring and frame - heck, I was afraid of falling off it!) I know when I peek in on the kids after they are alseep and see them so comfy with all the room they need and the various ways in which they sprawl out, they would never sleep that well in our bed.

Our kids have always slept in their own space too. As infants I had the co-sleeper bassinet that attached to our bed. That was the best thing I ever bought. At about 3 months when they outgrew the bassinet they went to their cribs. We do the occasional exception for our 3 year old, when there is a bad storm I sleep with her until the storm is over...and when she is sick daddy moves to the couch and she sleeps in our very big bed with me.