Life

The Benefits Of Being Done With Bed-Sharing

by Sarah Bunton

If you're among the many parents who chose to share their bed with their little ones, you might be wondering about what will happen when you eventually sleep in separate beds. More specifically, you may be wondering what are the benefits of being finished with bed-sharing? Aside from the obvious conclusion that you won't wake up to a foot being shoved in your face anymore (hopefully), there are some other ways in which changing your sleeping arrangement can positively impact your family. You likely already know the benefits of bed-sharing, but you're not alone if you're curious about what happens when this chapter ends and a new one begins.

As it turns out, one of the first things you can expect to see once you're finished with bed-sharing has a lot to do with trust. According to the website for Dr. Sears, sharing a bed in the past created a strong parent-child bond which will help your child feel safe in their own bed. In other words, they'll be confident enough to sleep on their own because they know you'll still be there if they need you. Having established such a unique bond goes a long way towards enabling your little one to balance a strong sense of security with their developing independence.

Another benefit of being finished with bed-sharing is that you'll begin to see your child's personality really begin to emerge. According to the website for Dr. Craig Campari, director of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center, ending bed-sharing creates the opportunity for your child to take ownership of their new space. Whether it's letting them pick out a new set of sheets or decorate their room, making it a special event will really put a positive spin on the whole experience. After all, what's better than watching your child become their own little person? Well, maybe getting to have uninterrupted relations with your partner in bed would be a close second.