Why Do Babies Sleep Better Next to Mom?

Research shows that a baby's health can improve when they sleep close to their parents. In fact, babies that sleep with their parents have more regular heartbeats and breathing. They even sleep more soundly. And being close to parents is even shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Why do babies like to sleep next to you?

Physical contact, in close cosleeping, helps babies to "breathe more regularly, use energy more efficiently, grow faster, and experience less stress," says McKenna. Babies, too, who are not necessarily breastfed, as in the case of adoption, will also naturally reap the many other benefits of such close contact.

Why do babies sleep better with parents?

One of the advantages of bed-sharing, as outlined on the site Kelly Mom, is that babies often get more sleep when they bed-share. Since they're already right next to you, they don't need to fully wake up in order to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or simply be comforted.