In recent years, several celebrities have come forward to admit that they not only allowed their babies to sleep in the bed with them but continue to co-sleep with older children as well. This revelation has also led many other parents to decide to co-sleep. Did you sleep with your baby? Would you do so now? Let’s look at co-sleeping and the celebrities who do.

Mixed Messages and Rules Changes

A generation or so ago, especially in North America, sleeping with your child was not only considered to be dangerous but was also seen as “spoiling your child.” For example, Generation X mothers were encouraged to begin “Independence Training,” or forcing their babies to sleep on their own, as early as possible.

Mothers of that generation were also told they should never allow their children to sleep on their backs. Of course, opinions change with every generation. Now, the rules have changed, and the total opposite is true; parents are told to have their babies sleep in the same room, on their backs.

Whether or not parents should co-sleep is still controversial. While some experts advise that co-sleeping is fine and will not harm your child, others insist that it is a dangerous practice that could end in death. While the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is terrifying, not all experts agree that co-sleeping might increase the chance of it happening.

Of course, these examples are all based on parents who co-sleep with their babies, not older kids, and many articles show benefits for babies who sleep with their parents. The truth is that no matter what experts may advise in North America, parents have been co-sleeping with their kids for centuries all over the world.

Celebrities Who Co-Sleep

While most of them started co-sleeping when their children were just infants, many celebrities who have come forward recently are speaking out about allowing their older kids to continue sleeping in bed with them. Kourtney Kardashian, for example, still sleeps with her 11-year-old daughter, Penelope.

‘Clueless’ Star Alicia Silverstone’s son, Bear Blu, also occasionally sleeps with his famous mom. Despite the fact that she says she is getting a lot of backlash, she refuses to allow her parenting decisions to be swayed by strangers. “I don’t really care,” she stated.

Another star who sleeps with her kids is Leah Messer from ‘Teen Mom,’ who allows her three tween daughters in her bed. Singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette also sings the praises of co-sleeping and feels that allowing a child to be attached to the mom can help avoid addiction later in life.

‘Big Bang Theory’ actress Mayim Bialik chose attachment parenting and feels that bed-sharing is an essential part of childhood development. The actress, who also holds several certifications and has written parenting books, is absolutely against sleep training.

Two Sides to Every Story

As you can see, there are two sides to every story, and co-sleeping is no different, whether it is sleeping with an infant in your bed or sleeping with an older child. Some moms and dads compromise by allowing their babies and older kids to sleep in the same room but in a separate bed.

Many parents insist that sleeping with their baby makes them rest easier, encourages the child to sleep through the night, and makes breastfeeding much less stressful. Parents also contend that co-sleeping with older kids can create a bond that will help build confident, strong, independent young adults. Still others maintain that co-sleeping gives them no privacy and a restless night’s sleep for everyone.

So, what do you think of sleeping with your kids? Do you still allow your children to co-sleep with you? Do your kids sleep in the same bed with you or just in the same room? At what age should kids move to their own room? Tell us in the comments!