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The Co-Sleeping approach

If you like following attachment parenting, a style of child rearing that involves lots of physical bonding (breastfeeding, baby wearing, etc.), you may love the close connection of sleeping together. A baby who is fussy and demanding, or shy and introverted, can really thrive on this intimacy and immediate meeting of his needs. (Conversely, a very active, intense child might feel stifled.)

How it works: A bedside sleeper or bassinet is safest, but many parents choose to go to sleep with their baby right on the same mattress, a practice known as the "family bed." This routine makes breastfeeding easier, since these babies tend to wake for feedings more often than formula-fed babies. However, co-sleeping does come with a serious caveat: It increases your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has spoken out against the practice for babies 6 months of age or less (the high-risk period for SIDS). If you choose to co-sleep, or fall into the habit simply because it's the only way to get your baby to snooze, it's important that you follow all safety recommendations: Put your baby to sleep on her back; keep her away from blankets and pillows; don't sleep with your baby on a water bed or sofa or in an armchair, which are even more dangerous than a traditional adult bed; maintain a smoke-free environment; never use alcohol, drugs, or any medication that might make you less alert to your baby's presence; and use guardrails as necessary to ensure that your baby won't roll off the bed.

The family bed can work as long as you don't keep your baby up till you're ready to sleep, notes Dr. Weissbluth. "Lie down with your baby to get her to fall sleep between 6 and 8 p.m., then move her into a bedside sleeper so that she's safe until you come to bed," he recommends. "You can move her next to you when you turn in if you want."

Proponents of the family bed say most children will naturally leave it around the second or third year. If you get eager to make a change sooner, you can help things along by first moving your child to a crib in your room, and eventually to her own space for good.