Awesome thread Arcadia. I definitely know what you mean. There seems to be a school of childcare that comes from a viewpoint that babies must be controlled, isolated, 'taught' to do things like sleep, eat, be quiet when we want them to. The physical aspects, breastfeeding, cuddling, the smells and tactile experiences of new motherhood seem to be completely alien to this school of thought. It reminds me of that episode of AbFab where Edi's mother is handling baby Edi wearing a pair of rubber gloves. The sensual, physical aspects of motherhood, and genuinely connecting with your baby are completely rejected by the Gina Ford 'Baby Fuehrer' style parenting manuals.
Having said that, I was never a cosleeper, I always found it hard to relax with DD in the bed. Slings etc didn't really work for us either because instead of finding it comforting she always seemed to hate any sense of restriction. maybe next time....
ps. sorry if that was a bit of a pointless waffle