Dr. Basora-Rovira says there is no specific age that is “too old” for co-sleeping. She encourages parents to not begin practicing co-sleeping in the first place. And, if you are already co-sleeping with your child, to transition him or her out of your bed and into his or her own room as soon as possible.
Stop Co-Sleeping with Your Baby at Age Two
It is an essential method that is used by most parents to help kids feel less stressed at night. And while there is no question that there are numerous health benefits, it is always best to end co-sleeping by the end of age two at the latest.
Recent studies showed that many children co-sleep with their parents. It was noted that 45 percent of mothers co-sleep with their 8 to 12 years old children occasionally, and 13 percent of mothers do it daily.
As long as there is no inappropriate behavior then there should not be a problem.
Recent studies indicate that near epidemic proportion of children are co-sleeping with parents today. According to Parenting's MomConnection, a surprising 45% of moms let their 8- to 12-year-olds sleep with them from time to time, and 13% permit it every night.
"I wouldn't want a 14-year-old child sleeping in the bed with his or her mother or father. If you asked me to draw a line, I think it's at the prepubertal time," Fisk said. Matheis agrees. "Adolescence, or the onset of puberty, may be a good time to transition to different beds," she said.
DEAR CONCERNED: It is not appropriate for parents to co-sleep with adolescent children, partly because adolescents need and deserve some privacy, as they engage in the developmentally important process of figuring out who they are and what they're about.
Dr. Basora-Rovira says there is no specific age that is “too old” for co-sleeping. She encourages parents to not begin practicing co-sleeping in the first place. And, if you are already co-sleeping with your child, to transition him or her out of your bed and into his or her own room as soon as possible.
There is nothing wrong with a father being affectionate towards his son. Rubbing a tummy can be soothing for a young child. There's nothing wrong with cuddling in bed either. Whether a child should regularly share a parent's bed is a matter of choice.
Experts say there are no major issues with a parent co-sleeping -- sharing a bed or room -- with their child if the arrangement works for both parties, but parents co-sleeping with babies and infants should keep safety precautions in mind.
What our expert says “There is nothing wrong with cuddling your eight-year-old in bed and, on occasion, sleeping with them for comfort when they're stressed or ill,” says Janet Morrison, a psychological associate from Toronto who assesses children, adolescents and families.
It is natural for babies and children to want to sleep with their parents, or very close to them. It is a primal response. Look at young dependent mammals – they all sleep next to their parents/mother.
A survey of over 8,500 parents carried out by The Lullaby Trust has shown that 76% have co-slept with their baby at some point. However, over 40% of parents admitted to having done so in dangerous circumstances such as on a sofa, having drunk alcohol or as a smoker.
It's natural for babies and children to want to sleep with their parents, or very close to them, as it's a primal thing to do. A look at young dependent mammals will attest this - they all sleep next to their parents/mother.
For example, co-sleeping during the school-aged years has been associated with problems initiating sleep, less nighttime sleep, more daytime sleepiness, more bedtime resistance, increased nighttime awakenings, and greater levels of sleep anxiety (Blader et al.
Clinginess is a natural reaction for children experiencing separation anxiety, or fear of being separated from a person they trust. Separation anxiety tends to be strongest from ages 9 to 18 months and usually improves by the time a child is 3. These stages correspond to phases of young child development.
As long As the child does not object then there is nothing wrong with it. The father may come from a culture where that is done. Generally, a father kissing his son on the lips is not something that happens in the “American” culture-however that is defined. That does not mean there is anything wrong with doing it.
A father should never stop kissing his sons on his cheeks and forehead until the son protests. As a father, I think it is a very good sign of a healthy father-son relation. That kind of affection helps the son to be more secure, kind, gentle and strong as a man.
I see it as a child's natural response to their desire to feel safe, secure and comfortable going to sleep. It may be that your daughter has simply developed a habit of sleeping with her parent (whichever one she is staying with at the time).
There's no need to stay with your child until they fall asleep. Telling them you'll lie down with them for 15 minutes can be the perfect compromise to give them the snuggles they need while still giving you some precious time to yourself at night. And don't underestimate the benefits you'll feel yourself!
Although some parents see benefits to co-sleeping with their child, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend it. It's much safer for your infant or toddler to sleep alone in their own bed.
In general, I would say that by the age of 8 or 9 years-10 at the latest-most children have developed enough of a sense of personal boundaries and body space that they no longer want to shower with a parent or bathe with a sibling of the opposite sex.
Co-sleeping- a way to give children security
Others claim that co- sleeping can make your child more secure- with good sleep as a result. It is not unusual that children in different ages sleep uneasy and they can sleep more calmly by sleeping nearby their parents the whole night, even when they are a little older.
Absolutely. Friends are friends. If the boundaries are set and respected, there should be no reason you can't share the same bed.