What is co-sleeping?
Co-sleeping refers to infants or toddlers sleeping close to one or both parents as opposed to sleeping in a separate room. This closeness typically involves the child sleeping in the same bed as the parents, but it can also mean the child sleeps next to the parents on a separate surface. Co-sleeping is also known as bed-sharing or room-sharing.
What are the different types of co-sleeping?
There are a few different ways parents can practice co-sleeping:
- Bed-sharing: The infant sleeps in the same bed as the parents.
- Sidecar arrangement: The crib or bassinet is attached on one side of the parents’ bed to allow easy access.
- Room-sharing: The infant sleeps in a separate crib or bassinet in the same room as the parents.
Bed-sharing refers specifically to sleeping in the same bed, while co-sleeping is the broader term that encompasses room-sharing as well.
What are the recommended guidelines around co-sleeping?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- Room-sharing with a crib or bassinet placed close to the parents’ bed for at least the first 6 months of life, and ideally for the whole first year.
- No bed-sharing for the first 6 months.
- No soft bedding, pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals around baby’s sleep area.
- A firm, flat mattress covered by a fitted sheet for baby’s sleep surface.
The main concerns with bed-sharing are risks of suffocation, entrapment, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, room-sharing allows parents to be close by while having baby sleep on a separate approved surface.
What are the rates of co-sleeping in the United States?
According to a 2017 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
- 21% of parents reported any bed-sharing with their infant at 6 months old.
- 13% reported habitual bed-sharing, meaning 3 or more times per week.
- 55% reported room-sharing without bed-sharing.
- 24% reported their infant sleeping in a separate room.
So while full bed-sharing is practiced by a minority of families in the U.S., room-sharing appears to be the norm for at least the first 6 months.
How do co-sleeping rates vary by demographic factors?
The rates of co-sleeping vary significantly between different demographic groups. According to the NIH study:
Race/ethnicity
| Race/Ethnicity | Any bed-sharing at 6 months | Habitual bed-sharing at 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic white | 19% | 9% |
| Non-Hispanic black | 36% | 23% |
| Hispanic | 40% | 24% |
| Other | 35% | 18% |
Co-sleeping rates are significantly higher among non-white families.
Maternal education
| Maternal education level | Any bed-sharing at 6 months | Habitual bed-sharing at 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 46% | 31% |
| High school degree | 31% | 17% |
| Some college | 22% | 13% |
| College degree or higher | 17% | 9% |
Higher rates of co-sleeping are seen with lower levels of maternal education.
Household income
| Household income | Any bed-sharing at 6 months | Habitual bed-sharing at 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 43% | 28% |
| $20,000-$49,999 | 28% | 17% |
| $50,000-$99,999 | 21% | 12% |
| $100,000 or more | 16% | 8% |
Lower household income is associated with higher rates of co-sleeping.
Maternal age
| Maternal age | Any bed-sharing at 6 months | Habitual bed-sharing at 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Younger than 20 years | 42% | 33% |
| 20-29 years | 29% | 17% |
| 30 years or older | 16% | 8% |
Younger maternal age is linked to higher rates of co-sleeping.
Why are co-sleeping rates higher in certain groups?
Several factors may explain the demographic differences:
- Cultural preferences: Co-sleeping is seen as preferable in some cultures.
- Breastfeeding: Easier to breastfeed at night when room-sharing or bed-sharing.
- Cost: Families with lower income may not have the space or money for a separate nursery.
- Single parenthood: More difficult for a single parent to get up at night without co-sleeping.
Public health messaging around safe sleep practices also appears to be less accessed by disadvantaged groups. So there may be gaps in knowledge about SIDS risks with bed-sharing.
How do co-sleeping rates compare internationally?
Co-sleeping practices vary enormously between countries:
| Country | Rate of co-sleeping |
|---|---|
| Japan | 90% |
| Vietnam | 70-80% |
| United Kingdom | 50% |
| Australia | 39% |
| Canada | 26% |
| United States | 22-55% |
| Netherlands | 21% |
| China | 15% |
| Germany | 10% |
Co-sleeping is seen as socially desirable in many Asian countries, leading to very high rates. The practice is also relatively common in the UK and Australia but is less prevalent in other Western nations. The U.S. falls somewhere in the middle of global trends.
Has co-sleeping increased in popularity recently?
While exact rates fluctuate between studies, there is no clear evidence that co-sleeping is becoming significantly more common over time in Western nations.
One analysis looked at co-sleeping trends in the U.S. from 1993 to 2010 and found:
- Any co-sleeping: Rates remained stable at around 40-45%
- Habitual co-sleeping: Rates decreased from 18% to 13%
So while occasional co-sleeping has remained steady, habitual all-night bed-sharing may be declining slightly in favor of room-sharing.
Parent choices around sleep practices appear strongly linked to cultural norms and access to education on safe sleep. As public health messaging is strengthened, co-sleeping beyond 6 months may gradually decline further in Western countries that have traditionally favored solitary infant sleep. However, room-sharing remains widely endorsed for at least the first months of life.
Conclusion
While the official medical recommendation is to room-share for 6 months but avoid bed-sharing, the reality is that co-sleeping remains very common in its various forms. Routine bed-sharing is practiced by around 20-40% of families in Western nations. Cultural preferences coupled with breastfeeding and economic factors make co-sleeping an appealing choice for many parents. However, strong social messaging and safe sleep education are prompting a gradual shift away from all-night bed-sharing in countries like the U.S. Still, maintaining close proximity remains the norm in the early months of life. Co-sleeping rates will likely continue to depend heavily on public health advice and family access to information supporting recommended infant sleep practices.