New research led by the University’s School of Psychology has found that
there is no link between bed sharing, infant-mother attachment, and infant
behavioural outcomes.
Contrary to previous beliefs that bed sharing is beneficial (or even
required) for babies to develop a secure attachment style and for mothers to
develop a strong bond to their baby, researchers have found that it is
neither associated with positive or negative outcomes related to infant
attachment and maternal bonding.
There is a lot of controversial debate about bed sharing by parents and the
infant sleep literature, in particular. Notably, researchers and
practitioners recommend against bed sharing, particularly before four months
of age due to the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
In reality, parents quite often share their bed with their baby due to
several reasons such as practicality and breastfeeding, or because they
follow the idea of ‘attachment parenting’.
The research paper, published by the Journal of Developmental &
Behavioral Pediatrics, analyses data from 178 infants and their parents, at
term, three, six and eighteen months. No associations between bed sharing
during the first six months and infant-mother attachment and infant
behavioural outcomes (attention levels/hyperactivity and task persistence)
at eighteen months were found. Similarly, there were no associations between
bed sharing during the first six months and maternal bonding and sensitivity
in interacting with the infant at consequent assessment points.
This new study, led by Dr Ayten Bilgin (Kent) alongside Dieter Wolke,
Professor of Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences at the
University of Warwick concludes that longer follow-up studies on effects on
child development may be required.
Dr Bilgin said: ‘A lot of people think that bed sharing is necessary to
promote secure attachment with infants. However, there is little research in
this area and quite mixed evidence. More insight into the outcomes of bed
sharing is required to better inform parents, guardians and practitioners.’
Professor Wolke said: ‘Around a third of all parents share their bed with
their infant during the first 18 months of life occasionally to most nights
in this UK study. We found the practice was associated with ease of
breastfeeding and dealing with night waking of the baby.’
Reference:
Ayten Bilgin, Dieter Wolke. Bed-Sharing in the First 6 Months. Journal of
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2021; Publish Ahead of Print DOI:
10.1097/DBP.0000000000000966