When you wake your child at the same time each day, you’re giving their circadian rhythm a clear signal that helps shape predictable naps and easier bedtimes. It’s not easy to get up on time after a tricky night, but in today’s episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack why it’s worthwhile, and share how to make it work for your family.

✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs, where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic, via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne.

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Does bedsharing have benefits for infant development or attachment? The quick answer is no. Systematic reviews (the highest form of scientific evidence) consistently show that bedsharing is associated with:

1️⃣ Longer breastfeeding duration

2️⃣ Increased risk of death

3️⃣ More frequent night waking

Bedsharing might be your preference, and that's ok, but it's important to understand both the risks, and the reality - babies who sleep in cots are just as well attached to their parents, as those who share a bed with their parents.

Drs Fallon & Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive head first in to the scientific literature on bedsharing, so you can make an informed decision for your little one

✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs, where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic, via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne.

☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee!

❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts
❤️ Listen on Spotify
❤️ Listen on Amazon Music
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If you choose to bedshare please follow the RedNose guidelines for safer cosleeping: https://rednose.org.au/safe-sleep-and-safer-pregnancy/newborn-to-1-year/co-sleeping-with-your-baby/

REFERENCES:

Das, Rashmi Ranjan, Sankar, M. Jeeva, Agarwal, Ramesh, Paul, Vinod Kumar, Is “Bed Sharing” Beneficial and Safe during Infancy? A Systematic Review, International Journal of Pediatrics, 2014, 468538, 16 pages, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/468538

Baddock, et.al. The influence of bed-sharing on infant physiology, breastfeeding and behaviour: A systematic review, Sleep Medicine Reviews, Volume 43, 2019, Pages 106-117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2018.10.007.

Horsley T, Clifford T, Barrowman N, et al. Benefits and Harms Associated With the Practice of Bed Sharing: A Systematic Review. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(3):237–245. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.3.237

A Morneau, A Vallieres, 0949 Should Parents and Children Share the Same Bed? A Systematic Review of the Consequences of Bedsharing on Sleep and Child Development, Sleep, Volume 43, Issue Supplement_1, April 2020, Pages A360–A361, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.945

Wolf et. al., (2025). Mother–Infant Bed-sharing Is Associated with Increased Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 20 (4).

If your baby or toddler has false starts, split nights, or they are hard to settle to sleep, then there is a very good chance your little one has a sleep pressure difficulty. The good news? These problems are easily fixed by taking a close look at the daily rhythm. When sleep pressure challenges are resolved, the door to easier settling and quieter nights, swings wide open.

This episode is Dr Fallon & Dr Laura's guide to identifying and fixing sleep pressure difficulties.

✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs, where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic, via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne.

☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee!

❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts
❤️ Listen on Spotify
❤️ Listen on Amazon Music
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube