Understanding motivations and satisfaction with sleep location among co‐sleeping (including bed‐sharing) parents

Abstract

Abstract Objective The study objective was to understand intentions, sleep location preferences, and satisfaction with co‐sleeping (including bed‐sharing) arrangements in an internet‐based sample of self‐identified co‐sleeping parents. Background Western‐centric ideologies favor independent, self‐regulated, and consolidated sleep. Safe‐sleep recommendations advise against all forms of parent–child bed‐sharing while promoting room‐sharing. Co‐sleeping including bed‐sharing and room‐sharing is widely practiced globally and rates continue to increase in Western countries. Yet perspectives of co‐sleeping parents remain under‐researched. Method A cross‐sectional study design was used to understand co‐sleeping parents' ( n = 3,146) intentions, preferences, and satisfaction with co‐sleeping (room‐sharing and bed‐sharing) choices through a survey. Results Co‐sleeping practices were nuanced and varied with parents and children transitioning between sleep location and surfaces through the night. Although 64% of parents did not intend to co‐sleep before the birth of their child, 88% preferred the current co‐sleeping location, and 81% indicated satisfaction with it. Parental intention to co‐sleep (including bed‐share) was related to satisfaction with the arrangement. Parents who did not prefer any co‐sleeping arrangement at the current time were likely to be parenting older children. A thematic analysis yielded themes relating to the motivations underlying intent and preference, as well as reluctance and dissatisfaction with co‐sleeping arrangements. Conclusion Co‐sleeping including bed‐sharing continues to be practiced by parents in Western countries. Despite a lack of intent to engage with co‐sleeping including bed‐sharing, the majority of the parents in this sample were bed‐sharing with their infants and young children. Parents choose to room‐share and bed‐share for a range of reasons. Implications Parents voices highlight the need for safe co‐sleeping including bed‐sharing education. Considerations must be given to parents' perspectives in implementing nighttime infant care practices, including facilitating collaborative discussions with parents to assess and minimize potential risks associated with bed‐sharing.

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