Co-sleeping, the practice of parents and children sleeping in the same bed or room, varies greatly across different cultures, regions, and historical periods. While American philosophy on co-sleeping tends to discourage it, other parts of the world have embraced it for centuries, with cultural, social, and historical reasons influencing these views. Let’s explore how co-sleeping is viewed around the world, including the factors behind these practices.
North America: The American Perspective on Co-Sleeping
In the United States, co-sleeping is generally discouraged by health professionals. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has historically advised against co-sleeping due to concerns over sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, and falls. There’s a significant belief that babies should sleep independently in cribs, as it is seen as a way to encourage independence, safety, and sleep habits. This stance gained popularity in the mid-20th century as part of the “baby training” movement, which emphasized the importance of sleep schedules and creating a structured environment for children.
Why Americans Are Hesitant About Co-Sleeping
Several factors contribute to the American reluctance to co-sleep:
Safety Concerns: As mentioned, SIDS is a significant factor in the opposition to co-sleeping. The fear of suffocation or accidental injury while sleeping with a baby has led to an emphasis on separate sleeping spaces.
Cultural Emphasis on Independence: American values emphasize individualism and autonomy. There’s a belief that encouraging babies to sleep alone fosters self-reliance and personal space.
Medical and Psychological Influences: Over the years, pediatricians and child psychologists in the U.S. have reinforced the idea that babies should be taught to sleep on their own, which has influenced public opinion.
Changing Trends: While co-sleeping was more common in earlier periods, particularly in rural or working-class families, the rise of the nuclear family structure in the post-World War II era reinforced the idea that children should have their own rooms and sleep independently.
Co-Sleeping in Other Regions and Cultures
Europe
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland): Co-sleeping is more common here, though not as widely practiced in the same way as in other parts of the world. For example, many Scandinavian parents choose to room-share with their infants for the first few months, but not necessarily to co-sleep in the same bed. It’s often seen as a way to ensure closer bonding during the early stages of life. The practice has been linked to greater parental awareness and care for the baby, including breastfeeding.
United Kingdom: Similar to the U.S., the UK has been more influenced by medical recommendations against co-sleeping, though it has become more accepted in recent years. Many parents in the UK may use co-sleeping temporarily in the early stages for ease of breastfeeding and comforting, but it’s generally discouraged in favor of separate sleeping spaces after infancy.
Asia
Japan: In Japan, co-sleeping is quite common, especially in rural areas. It’s seen as a way to foster close family bonds and make breastfeeding easier. Traditionally, many families sleep together on tatami mats or futons. Co-sleeping is seen as part of a broader philosophy of intimacy and closeness, with the understanding that the practice will taper off as children grow older.
China: Similar to Japan, co-sleeping has been a longstanding practice in China. It is generally viewed as a way to strengthen the parent-child bond. It is common for children to sleep in the same room as their parents well into their early childhood years. Family dynamics are often more collective, with multi-generational households where co-sleeping is viewed as normal.
India: Co-sleeping is widespread in India, where the practice is deeply ingrained in family life. Children sleep in the same room, or bed, as their parents for extended periods, sometimes until adolescence. Cultural beliefs about family unity and care for the child are important, and many mothers view co-sleeping as essential for breastfeeding and comforting their infants.
Africa
West Africa: In many West African cultures, co-sleeping is a prevalent practice. Babies typically sleep in close proximity to their parents, with mothers often sharing a bed with their infants. The practice is seen as essential for bonding, keeping the child safe, and supporting breastfeeding. The close contact also ensures that the baby is comforted throughout the night, which aligns with many cultural views on child-rearing.
South Africa: Similar practices of co-sleeping exist in various South African cultures, especially in rural areas. Family closeness and communal living are emphasized, and co-sleeping is considered an important part of infant care.
Latin America
Mexico and Central America: Co-sleeping is a deeply ingrained practice in many Latin American cultures, where family cohesion and closeness are highly valued. Babies typically sleep with their parents until they are old enough to transition to their own beds. The practice is linked to bonding and providing the infant with a sense of security, comfort, and warmth.
Brazil: In Brazil, co-sleeping is also widespread, with many families co-sleeping well into their children’s toddler years. Here too, the practice is rooted in strong family and community values, with many parents seeing it as a natural way to care for their children.
Oceania
Australia and New Zealand: In these countries, attitudes toward co-sleeping are mixed. There is some acceptance of co-sleeping, particularly among Indigenous Australian cultures, where communal living often involves shared sleeping spaces. However, mainstream Australian medical advice tends to echo American views, recommending that babies sleep in their own cribs due to safety concerns.
Pacific Islands: Co-sleeping is common in many Pacific Island cultures, where communal living and close family relationships are emphasized. Babies typically sleep with their parents, and the practice is closely tied to cultural beliefs around care, warmth, and protection.
Historically, co-sleeping was the norm in most parts of the world, including Europe, the Americas, and Asia. It wasn’t until the industrial revolution and the rise of the nuclear family model that separate sleeping arrangements became more common, particularly in Western societies. In the U.S., the shift away from co-sleeping is linked to the growth of individualism, increasing urbanization, and the development of a consumer market for baby products, such as cribs and bassinets.
Why the Shift?
Medical Advancements: Increased awareness of risks like SIDS and suffocation led to medical professionals discouraging co-sleeping, especially in Western countries.
Economic Factors: The rise of consumer goods and a focus on the “ideal” family home with separate rooms contributed to a shift away from co-sleeping.
Cultural Changes: The growing emphasis on autonomy and independence in child-rearing further supported the idea that children should sleep separately from their parents.
While co-sleeping is a common practice in many parts of the world, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, it is often frowned upon or even discouraged in Western countries like the U.S., where concerns about safety and promoting independence are prevalent. The historical shift away from co-sleeping in the U.S. is a result of changing social, medical, and economic factors. In contrast, many cultures around the world still see co-sleeping as an important practice for family bonding, infant security, and child care. Over time, some regions may see shifts toward or away from co-sleeping based on changes in medical advice, cultural beliefs, and family structures.
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