Surprising independence of co-sleepers

Unexpectedly, children who have co-slept have actually become more independent than those children who have not co-slept. James Mckenna, PhD, a world-renowned anthropologist shares this surprising conclusion.
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Surprising independence of co-sleepers

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For many years it was thought that one of the long-term effects of co-sleeping was you would create overly dependent children that would never become competent or self-confident, et cetera, or even have weaker gender identities. I must say, I take some delight knowing that now, where we actually have studies in terms of what effects co-sleeping has on children; it seems to be just the opposite. Infants who have been routinely co-sleeping with parents from infancy are actually more independent in terms of very specific problem solving skills when left alone, and in terms of the need to be alone. It just goes to show you that the suppositions and assumptions that people were making for 70 years, were no more than cultural ideologies and had no scientific basis whatsoever. It makes a great deal of sense. When a child gets a lot of affirmation and security at a time when they need it the most, those children are going to be the ones that will be with others and not with others and have the self-confidence to do so.

Unexpectedly, children who have co-slept have actually become more independent than those children who have not co-slept. James Mckenna, PhD, a world-renowned anthropologist shares this surprising conclusion.

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James McKenna, PhD

Anthropologist & Author

Professor James J. McKenna is recognized as the world’s leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping, in relationship to breastfeeding and SIDS. In recognition of his work in 2009 he was admitted as a Fellow into the select body of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's most prestigious scientific society. That same year and in recognition of his extensive work with television, radio, and print media he received from the American Anthropological Association the “2008 Anthropology In The Media Award” one of the top three awards presented to anthropologists by the association in recognition of his distinguished work in educating the public to the importance of anthropological concepts. He received his undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970, his Master's Degree from San Diego State University in 1972, and his PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Oregon, Eugene, in 1975. Professor McKenna has published over 139 refereed scientific articles in diverse medical and anthropological journals on co-sleeping, breastfeeding, evolutionary medicine and SIDS, and both here and abroad he gives over 20 lectures especially to pediatric groups and parents. Here in the United States he remains one of the primary spokesperson to the media on issues pertaining to sleeping arrangements, nighttime breast-feeding and SIDS prevention. He has also published two monographs on SIDS and infant sleep, and co-edited two books:  Evolutionary Medicine and Evolutionary Medicine And Health: New Perspectives. His first trade book for parents was published in 2008 entitled: Sleeping With Your Baby: A Parents Guide To Co-Sleeping, and was recently translated and available in Spanish and Dutch.

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Transcription: 
For many years it was thought that one of the long-term effects of co-sleeping was you would create overly dependent children that would never become competent or self-confident, et cetera, or even have weaker gender identities. I must say, I take some delight knowing that now, where we actually have studies in terms of what effects co-sleeping has on children; it seems to be just the opposite. Infants who have been routinely co-sleeping with parents from infancy are actually more independent in terms of very specific problem solving skills when left alone, and in terms of the need to be alone. It just goes to show you that the suppositions and assumptions that people were making for 70 years, were no more than cultural ideologies and had no scientific basis whatsoever. It makes a great deal of sense. When a child gets a lot of affirmation and security at a time when they need it the most, those children are going to be the ones that will be with others and not with others and have the self-confidence to do so.