Does Co-Sleeping Help… or Hurt Long-Term Mental Health?
A 2026 sleep study stirred up a lot of emotion by suggesting that children who regularly co-sleep with parents may have a higher risk of anxiety and depression later in life. Some experts say it interferes with independence and self-regulation. Others argue the research ignores culture, context, and real-world parenting. Side A: Co-sleeping may create long-term dependency and affect emotional regulation. Kids need to learn how to self-soothe and sleep independently. Side B: Co-sleeping can increase safety, bonding, and sleep quality — especially for breastfeeding families or in certain cultures. Correlation does not equal causation. Here are the real questions… • Is the issue WHERE kids sleep or HOW supported, safe, and regulated their nervous system is overall? • How much should sleep research dictate family choices? • Where do we draw the line between science and real life? • Have you seen co-sleeping help or hurt sleep in your own experience? 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼