
Co-sleeping is not recommended, but a 7-year-old child sleeping with parents is considered normal in many families and cultures.
The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against co-sleeping at any age, especially if the infant is younger than four months. The organization recommends that babies sleeping in the same room as their parents are to be placed in a cot or bassinet for at least six months, preferably a year rather than sharing the same bed.
- Though co-sleeping may look like a wonderful idea, it impacts the psychological development of the child.
- Recent studies showed that many children co-sleep with their parents.
- It was noted that 45 percent of mothers co-sleep with their 8 to 12 years old children occasionally, and 13 percent of mothers do it daily.
7 steps to break the co-sleeping cycle
- Parents should recognize obvious behaviors, such as fear, low self-esteem, and dependent behaviors, which stop the child to sleep alone at night. Reassure the child to face their fears, which encourages them to develop strong personalities.
- Expect opposition and be prepared to utilize all available resources. Stick to and achieve the aim of everyone sleeping in their bed every night.
- Follow behavioral training strategy where parental comfort and presence at bedtime are gradually removed. Tuck them in and assure them that parents are available whenever the child needs them. Have friends or relatives to assure the same.
- Read a book or play soothing music to relax them and distract them from the fear of being alone. Avoid chocolates, sweet drinks, and television or screen time of any device at least one hour before bedtime because they stimulate the brain of the child and make it hard for them to sleep.
- Let the child know the importance of changing their lifestyle. Emphasize that it is important for the parents to sleep on their own to reduce their stress. Make them understand the importance of everyone having their own space.
- The sleep and wake time should be consistent, and children should be encouraged to sleep early and wake up early. The parents can even start rewarding the child to encourage maintaining the sleep cycle.
- If the co-sleeping cycle cannot be ended with effort, parents should seek professional treatment and psychotherapy.
3 disadvantages of co-sleeping
- Safety concerns
- New mothers think co-sleeping with their child develops a deeper bond and offers an easier way to breastfeed.
- However, many experts warn about the risks parents put on their children, especially those with a first-born child or who are facing psychological or health issues from childbirth.
- Overlying: Lying over the baby.
- Entrapment: The baby is trapped between the mother and other objects, such as a mattress or wall making it hard to move or breathe.
- Suffocation: Breathing difficulty caused when the is trapped.
- Smothering: Suffocation caused when mouth and nose are blocked.
- Strangulation: Pressing the body in such a way that blood vessels are compressed, and circulation is reduced or stopped.
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Sleep deprivation
- Children who can sleep alone still prefer to sleep with their parents because of the following reasons:
- Fear of the dark
- General anxiety
- Loneliness
- Nightmares
- Sleeping disorders
- Health conditions
- Mental issues
- Though it looks like a good idea, it delays the development of a child, such as sleeping independently or overcoming issues with sleep.
- A child who falls asleep in the same bed as their parents have been shown to have greater sleep issues associated with shorter and more interrupted sleep, decreasing the quality of sleep.
- The sleep-wake cycle will be disrupted, and the child tends to sleep late and wake up late.
- Co-sleeping impacts the sleep of the parents and increases stress. Parents who let children sleep in the same bed reduce personal time and intimacy with their partners, which is one of the leading causes of separation among couples.
- Children who can sleep alone still prefer to sleep with their parents because of the following reasons:
- Personality development
- Children co-sleeping with their parents has delayed psychological development. They do not develop strong personalities, which impacts them in the future.
- They struggle with aspects, such as:
- Decision-making
- Social anxiety
- Confidence
- Lack independent behavior
- Memory loss
- Low energy
- Fatigue
- Obesity
- Future sleeping problems
- Depression

SLIDESHOW
Exercise Tips for Kids and the Whole Family See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 2/1/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
Buchanan J. Why Co-sleeping Can Do More Harm Than Good. Children's Hospital Los Angeles. https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/why-co-sleeping-can-do-more-harm-good
Children's Health. Should I be co-sleeping with my child? https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/should-i-be-co-sleeping-with-my-child
Buchanan J. Why Co-sleeping Can Do More Harm Than Good. Children's Hospital Los Angeles. https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/why-co-sleeping-can-do-more-harm-good
Children's Health. Should I be co-sleeping with my child? https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/should-i-be-co-sleeping-with-my-child
Complete List
Top Should a 7-Year-Old Sleep With Their Parents Related Articles
At What Age Is Co-Sleeping Safe With Your Baby?
What to know about sharing a bed with an infant. Learn about the benefits, risks, and the best age to co-sleep with your baby.Sleep Disorders: Foods That Help Sleep or Keep You Awake
Need more shut-eye? Your late-night cravings could be keeping you from a good night’s sleep. Should you drink green tea before bed? Learn about the snacks that raise melatonin, your sleep hormone, through tryptophan, and find out why whole-grain and high-protein dinners might help you sleep better.How Can I Help My Toddler With Sleep Problems?
Most toddlers need about 10-14 hours of sleep a day, which includes one to two daytime naps. Help your toddler with sleep problems by making sleep times fun, keeping a regular bedtime schedule, having a regular bedtime routine, ensuring your toddler has a balanced daytime schedule, and applying other strategies.How Do I Get My Baby to Sleep Longer at Night?
It's never too early to create a bedtime routine for your baby. Some of the things to include in your sleep routine include soothing activities, calming, shushing, and swaddling if your baby enjoys it.How Many Hours Should Kids Sleep (By Age Group)?
Sleep needs vary from child to child, and not everyone needs the same amount of sleep. Sleep guidelines by age can help ensure your child gets the proper amount of sleep to avoid health problems related to not sleeping enough or sleeping too much.Sleep Disorders
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. The National Institutes of Health recommend about 7-9 hours of sleep each night for older, school-aged children, teens, and most average adults; 10-12 for preschool-aged children; and 16-18 hours for newborns. There are two stages of sleep: 1) REM sleep (rapid-eye movement), and 2) NREM sleep (non-rapid-eye movement).Sleep Disorders in Children and Teenagers
Sleep needs in children and teenagers depend on the age of the child. Sleep disorders in children such as: sleep apnea, parasomnias, confusional arousals, night terrors, nightmares, narcolepsy, and sleepwalking which can affect a child's or teen's sleep. Healthy sleep habits and good sleep hygiene can help your infant, toddler, preschooler, tween, or teenager get a good night's sleep.Sleep Disorders: Causes of Nightmares
Everyone has nightmares from time to time. But could your habits make you more likely to have them?Dos and Don'ts After a Bad Night's Sleep
You didn’t sleep last night. Now what? Find out from WebMD what to do to make the best of the day and night ahead.Sleep Disorders: Natural Sleep Aids & Supplements
Lots of people turn to these drug-free herbal remedies for a better night's rest. Learn about some of the most popular natural sleep treatments and whether they work.What Are the 8 Types of Sleep Disorders?
Here are the 8 most common types of sleep disorders, which include obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy.Why Is Preschool Sleep Important?
Sleep plays a crucial role in the overall development of a child. Preschool sleep is important because it enhances thinking, reasoning and memory-based skills; allows them to learn better; helps them reach their full academic potential; facilitates a better memory and makes them less irritable.