Co-Sleep?????????

[ElleJay]

We're kinda co-sleeping atm - We never wanted to, but DS starting getting restless in his basinette after only 2 hours of sleep at night, so we now co-sleep and he sleeps really well.. We're only doing it until we can afford some baby monitors and we'll then be putting him in his cot at the other end of the house (which is why we want the monitors)
my lovely, you're not a horrible mother!

[Jellyfish]

Personally and I would like to stress this is just my opinion/experience, I feel so much safer having my little baby (turning one in just over a week now so not so little really) right next to me. My breathing helps to regulate her own, my body helps to keep her warm, if she needs me I am not far from her side. I also find so much comfort in the fact that she is breastfeeding more frequently and that I don't have to get up to give her the benefits of this.

I believe the opposite is true in terms of independence. I feel that by showing my daughter I am here for her whenever she needs, she gains confidence and this is echoed in many studies. My thinking is that being in their own room/bed might teach them they HAVE to be independent and personally, I'd rather teach them they CAN be because they are secure in the fact that if things go wrong, I am right there to help. Not saying this is not possible without co-sleeping but I definitely don't think co-sleeping hinders this in any way.