Research has proven that unless a parent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, co-sleeping is safe. Mothers are always conscious of their babies beside them and do not pose any danger. Mothers who sleep beside their infants continually, often unconsciously, check on them by touching and assessing comfort and temperature, repositioning and reblanketing as necessary. Breastfeeding is easily accomplished, often with neither mother nor baby fully awakening.
Babies instinctively take their breathing and sleeping cues from their mothers .
If your child learns to nap alone, as Kevin did, be vitally aware of this. Check on your sleeping child every 15 minutes. In general, mothers who sleep with their babies get more sleep than mothers who do not. Because the co-sleeping infant is safe and attached, he is calmer and sleeps more peacefully. By breastfeeding throughout the night, the mother is continually producing prolaction, a hormone which enhances relaxation and, thus, rest.