If you would have told me prior to having children that I would be sleeping with
both of them in spite of having a four bedroom house, I would have laughed in your face.
It baffles me now to think that a new mother is expected to place her brand new child, one that she's been nurturing in her womb for nine months, in a separate bed and room. Here baby, you won't be able to see or smell the only people you've known your entire life, but this is a very expensive crib and a nice firm mattress and see the lovely paint on the walls? All in the name of safety, of course. Because new parents will inadvertently suffocate their child or forget they are there and roll over on them. Please. *
I do agree that there are safety precautions involved with co-sleeping. Obviously, it's a bad idea to come to bed highly intoxicated or on any kind of illicit drug. Covering your baby's head with a think blanket is also not advisable. And letting them sleep face down on a very soft mattress is not very smart.
Co-sleeping, at least for me, has mostly been a matter of convenience. I like sleep. I like being warm. I despise having to get out of bed in the middle of the night. There's nothing easier than having the baby right next to me while I sleep. It makes breastfeeding easy and I love knowing that our baby is safe. No need for weird propping devices, cribs, thick sleepers, or expensive baby monitors.
Granted sharing a bed with children isn't for everyone, but we are all happy and there's nothing better than waking up together and watching the kids jump on Mathew's head.
*I do want to acknowledge bassinets and co-sleepers as good options for those who don't want to co-sleep. A co-sleeper was still too far away from me though.