The baby sleeps with you in your bed.

A few years ago, this sleeping arrangement was considered to be slightly kooky in this country, but it's becoming less so as more and more parents opt to share a bed with their child and learn how to safely do so. My first three kids were easy sleepers, and Martha and I were confirmed members of the crib-and-cradle set. Then came our high-need baby, Hayden, who, once we learned to listen, helped us open up a whole different box of nighttime tools. I still remember Martha taking Hayden into our bed, after a few nights of frequent night waking, and saying, "I don't care what the books say, I've got to get some sleep!" Once we discovered the joys of co-sleeping, we treasured sleeping with our next four babies  -- one at a time, of course. Sharing a bed turned out to be the right decision for us, but it may not be for everyone.

Pros
Sleeping next to you comforts your baby. Snuggled close to Mom, feeling the warmth of her skin and hearing the beat of her heart, creates a womb-like sensation for babies  -- a sensation that calms and quiets many cranky tots. Think about it: When your little one cries, you usually respond by picking him up and holding him close to you. Sleeping with your baby provides the same sort of soothing closeness  -- all night long. In fact, co-sleeping babies enjoy calmer and less restless sleep than solo-sleeping babies, according to studies from the University of California, Irvine.

Breastfeeding is extremely convenient. If you're nursing, all you have to do in the middle of the night when your baby is hungry is roll over! My wife Martha jokingly calls co-sleeping the "lazy mom's option." "When my baby started to squirm, I would lay on a comforting hand, and she would drift back to sleep," she says. "Sometimes I did this automatically without even waking up." Plus, co-sleeping allows the baby to be fed or soothed even more quickly than in sleep option number two. * If you work outside the home, sleeping with your baby may allow you to reconnect with him and make up for missed touch time during the day.

Cons
Alone time is a thing of the past. If you cherish your togetherness with your spouse at night, a wiggly baby on the mattress with the two of you may put a damper on things. Your relationship as a couple is important, so if having the bed to yourselves at night means a lot to you, then that's important, too.

Your baby may wake up more often because he feels you nearby. Some babies are light sleepers who might be annoyed by all the sounds and movements grown-ups make at night. If your infant is particularly independent, he may even feel smothered by all the closeness and do better in his own crib.

It could be hard to get the baby out of your bed. After sleeping first-class with you for many months  -- or even years  -- your child may not willingly accept a downgrade. Switching to the crib after the family bed will most likely take some creative bedtime strategies and a lot of patience.

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