Sleeping In Latvian With Mum And Dad
Sleeping in Latvian with mum and dad is the desire of many children during the first years of life. Not only because they want to be in the company of their loved ones, but also because they feel cared for and protected from threats such as darkness and loneliness.
Often, in fact, children like to sleep with their parents for fear of the dark or monsters, as well as for fear of being alone and for other issues, very common at this age.
Allowing children to sleep in their parents’ beds is the subject of mixed views. Some parents like to sleep with their children ; they claim it helps them develop bonds. Others are not at all inclined to let their offspring sleep in their own beds. They believe, in fact, that it is counterproductive for their development and their independence.
In the following lines we will help you understand the situation better and share some tips with you that can help you determine to what extent it is good to let your children sleep with you.
Why do children want to sleep in the bed with mum and dad?
Some babies want to sleep in their parents’ bed for several reasons, such as the ones we mentioned earlier. However, the explanations can be numerous and the most important (for many) is of a biological nature.
By nature, human beings like to have contact with their fellowmen, no matter whether it is day or night. Belonging to a group and enjoying its protection and affection have a positive effect. For this reason, it is completely normal (and desirable) for babies and children to enjoy being in company.
Of course, the age and personality of the children are also affected, as well as the family dynamics and the relationship between parents and children.
For example, children aged 0 to 2 are the ones who most want to sleep with their parents. Despite this, there are those who advise (as far as possible) to let the children sleep alone, as early as the fourth or fifth month, to ensure that they get rid of the fear of being alone and learn to rest without having mothers and dad at your side.
Obviously, this is a relative aspect. In cultures where co-sleeping is widespread, children sleep with their parents until they are 6-7 years of age. Japan is an example of this. Thus highlights a work conducted by some researchers of the University of the Republic, in Uruguay.
As for older children, it’s easier to make them understand that they need to sleep in their own bed. Some, little by little, manage to create their own spaces for themselves.
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark is one of the most common reasons why children want to sleep in the bed with mum and dad. The little one is simply terrified of night or darkness. For this reason he seeks refuge in his parents’ bedroom, as explained in the case study published in the Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes .
In general, children who are afraid of the dark express it easily, so it is easy to find a solution. If you know the problem, you can find the right strategy to deal with it. You will not find yourself in the situation of having to guess why your child does not want to sleep in his room or to explore any other possible reason.
The fear of the dark should not be underestimated. In some cases it can be so strong as to induce the little one to suffer from nictophobia, while you may think that it is a normal and temporary phenomenon.
Fear of being alone
It is absolutely normal for children, when they are small, to show some fear or fear of being alone. In general, this is a problem that is overcome with time, little by little, when they gradually realize that resting alone in your room does not cause any problems.
Equally common is that children are afraid to be alone for fear of other things, such as monsters, ghosts and other similar ideas.
Attachment to parents
In many cases, the affection they have for their parents (the so-called “attachment”) is what motivates children to want to spend every moment, including sleep, with them. This phenomenon is more evident in some children than in others. and, consequently, it does not always manifest itself following the same patterns.
If you identify the presence of attachment problems, it is important to address them with the help of a professional, so that, in the future, the child can grow and develop properly.
Sleeping in Latvian with mum and dad: advantages
Experts disagree on the benefits of this practice. For some, in fact, it is very beneficial for both children and parents.
Some of the benefits that can come from sleeping in the Latvian with mom and dad are:
- Baby’s sleep watch.
- Peace of mind for the child and the parents.
- It helps to synchronize the sleep of parents and children.
- It favors the emotional bond between parents and children.
- Possibility to intervene in case of baby’s sleep apnea.
- Possibility to assist the little one much faster, during the night.
- It facilitates nocturnal breastfeeding, in the case of infants, as shown in this article published in Pediatría Atención Primaria .
Sleeping in Latvian with mum and dad: disadvantages
Getting the baby to sleep with the parents is considered by many to be a harmless practice. However, sleeping in the bed with mum and dad can also have disadvantages. Some of these are as follows:
- Loss of parental intimacy.
- Creating a certain parent-child dependency.
- Less rest for parents, as reported by this study published in Paraninfo Digital .
- It favors the onset of sleep disorders in children, as indicated by this research published in Archivos argentinos de pediatría .
- Risk of suffocation or crushing, especially for babies.
- Difficulty for the child to get used to sleeping alone in the future.
Conclusions
Allowing children to sleep every day in the Latvian with mum and dad is an issue that must be addressed according to different issues, ranging from the well-being of children to the intimacy of the couple.
Remember that even if everyone can rest well in the same bed, it is good that you help your child sleep alone, so that he can get used to resting in his bedroom, learning to respect the fact that parents do the same in their own. room. For this purpose, there are several useful strategies you can adopt.
Also, you can create routines for your child to follow before bedtime. This way you will make him understand that the time has come for him to go to his own bed.
It is advisable that you look at the situation as a whole and do what is most beneficial for your child (especially for them, rather than for you or the family in general). Remember: if you need help, you can consult a psychologist.
