Babies often sleep better with their mothers due to a combination of physiological and emotional factors. Proximity to the mother provides numerous benefits that contribute to improved sleep quality and duration.
Physiological Advantages
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Regulation of Body Functions: Maternal proximity helps regulate a baby's breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and sleep cycles. The mother's presence provides a stable environment, reducing physiological stress. [Source: This arrangement thus helps to regulate the infant's breathing, sleep state, arousal patterns, heart rates and body temperature. The mother's proximity also… - The Natural Child Project]
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Reduced Stress Hormones: Close contact with the mother leads to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the baby, promoting a more relaxed and restful sleep. Loving touch and gestures further contribute to this effect. [Source: Less stress means lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone), which in turn means a healthier baby. Co-sleeping also stabilises an infant's body temperature and raises their oxygen levels by way of loving parental touch and gestures that naturally occur during sleep.]
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Breastfeeding Access: For breastfeeding mothers, easy access to the breast during the night simplifies nighttime feedings, minimizing disruptions to both mother and baby's sleep. [Source: Mothers are also the source of breastfeeding which… - My Green Mattress Blog]
Emotional Comfort and Security
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Sensory Cues: The familiar smells, sounds, and touch of the mother create a sense of security and comfort, making it easier for the baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is deeply ingrained in our evolutionary biology. [Source: Because it's in our DNA. By design, we are breastsleepers… - Raised Good]
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Increased Responsiveness: Mothers often demonstrate increased responsiveness to their infants' cues, which can provide a smoother transition back to sleep following minor awakenings. Both mother and baby tend to sleep more lightly when together, allowing for quicker responses to each other's needs. [Source: When adults and babies sleep together, McKenna and his colleagues found, they do sleep more lightly and rouse more often. - Greater Good Magazine]
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Enhanced Bonding: Co-sleeping strengthens the bond between mother and child, creating a sense of security and emotional well-being which positively impacts sleep.
Important Note:
While many benefits are associated with babies sleeping near their mothers, it's crucial to prioritize safe sleep practices. Always ensure the sleeping environment is safe and free from potential hazards.
