Bed-sharing has been the subject of much debate during the last few decades. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep in the same room (but not the same bed) as their parents until they are 6 months old. part a) What are the possible concerns of bed-sharing? part b) What are some international and cultural differences in infant sleep practices?
Bed-sharing has been the subject of much debate during the last few decades. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep in the same room (but not the same bed) as their parents until they are 6 months old.
part a) What are the possible concerns of bed-sharing?
part b) What are some international and cultural differences in infant sleep practices?
Bed-sharing and infant sleep practices are relevant to developmental psychology, which is the study of how humans grow, develop, and change throughout their lifespan. It comes under the area of child development, which focuses on the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes that occur from infancy through adolescence.
Bed sharing has both positive and negative psychological aspects. They are discussed below.
Positive Aspects:
- Attachment and bonding: Bed-sharing promotes a strong attachment bond between infants and their parents. This is because infants who bed-share often experience increased physical closeness, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding, all of which promote feelings of security, comfort, and trust.
- Enhanced emotional regulation: Bed-sharing can help infants develop better emotional regulation skills. This is because infants who bed-share have the opportunity to learn how to regulate their emotions by being dependent on their parents' cues and behaviours.
Negative Aspects:
- Risk of suffocation and injury: Bed-sharing can be dangerous for infants, particularly when parents or other adults are not aware of the risks involved. This can lead to serious injury or even death.
- Disrupted sleep: Bed-sharing can lead to disrupted sleep patterns for both infants and parents. This can have negative effects on physical health, cognitive functioning, and overall well-being.
- Interference with self-regulation: Bed-sharing often promotes self-regulation but at times can interfere with it. This is because infants who bed-share may become overly dependent on their parents for comfort and support, leading to difficulties in developing self-soothing and self-regulation skills.
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