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Cosleeping in a community sample of 2- and 3-year-old children

D Madansky1, C Edelbrock

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.

Pediatrics
|August 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Co-sleeping, where a child shares a bed with parents, is common in toddlers. Frequent co-sleeping is linked to persistent child sleep problems but not general behavioral issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Co-sleeping is a prevalent practice among families with young children.
  • Understanding the relationship between co-sleeping and child well-being is crucial for parental guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of co-sleeping in toddlers (2-3 years old).
  • To examine the association between co-sleeping and child behavior problems.
  • To explore the link between frequent co-sleeping and specific child sleep issues.

Main Methods:

  • A community sample of 303 parents of 2- and 3-year-olds were interviewed.
  • Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 2-3.
  • Child sleep behaviors, including co-sleeping frequency, were assessed.

Main Results:

  • 55% of parents reported occasional co-sleeping.
  • Frequent co-sleeping was more common in nonwhite and single-mother households.
  • Co-sleeping was not linked to general behavior problems, but frequent co-sleepers reported more sleep difficulties.
  • Persistent frequent co-sleeping correlated with ongoing sleep problems.

Conclusions:

  • Co-sleeping is a common toddler practice and not indicative of general maladjustment.
  • Frequent co-sleeping is closely associated with significant child sleep problems.
  • Interventions targeting sleep problems may need to consider co-sleeping habits.

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