Co-sleeping is when you sleep with your kids and maybe your pets, too, all in the same bed. That’s what they call it today, but I’m pretty sure it’s not new. You still see it in old movies, and it’s a famous part of the story in the 1971 production of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Some of my favorite “co-sleeping” scenes are from The 3 Stooges.
It’s hard to believe, I know, but not everyone wants to sleep all together in the same bed. Maybe it’s because they haven’t seen a proper Family Bed.
I’m not talking about a photograph or a video of a Family Bed. I mean up close in person. They are HUGE. They’re so big you could fit an entire clan on one of these beds.
Today, we’re going to look into several aspects of a family bed so you can determine if one is right for you.
A wonderful night’s sleep for everyone is the goal. This is true whether your family is in separate beds or you’re all safe and sound in the same bed.
Many cultures around the world sleep together as a family most of the time. It all depends on your needs, the ages of your children, and whether you have a newborn. Read on.
The thought of being apart from your newborn at nighttime is unthinkable for some people. However, rolling over accidentally can be dangerous, and experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics discourage sleeping in the same bed as an infant under the age of one. This is a standard that’s widely accepted.
The risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the other concerns often mentioned in the discussion about co-sleeping. However, some people find it more comforting to themselves and the baby. Other people find it makes feeding time easier for all involved. Still, others co-sleeping makes it better when it’s time to put the baby to sleep.
As always, safe infant sleeping is of prime importance.
One of the worst things in the world that can happen is when a baby dies. Many parents never get over it. Some parents feel the risk isn’t worth it, and they place their baby in a crib next to their bed. Other parents choose to sleep on an oversized mattress and use baby bumpers to keep their babies safe.
When kids are very young, sleeping in the same bed can be fun. Often when they get into their teens, they prefer an adult bedding arrangement that includes their own bed and of course, their own room. Although, depending on how young they are, a scary movie or a nightmare might have them ask to sleep in their parents’ bed.
You deserve it. Make your sleep environment as conducive as possible to achieve a good night’s sleep. This might include special lighting that you can dim, black-out curtains for sleeping in, and a custom mattress.
Today your options are almost unlimited. Oversized beds are everywhere. Long gone are the days when a king-size bed or a California King were the ultimate in comfort and size.
A Wyoming King is 7 feet by 7 feet. If you’ve never seen one in person, it’s hard to imagine the abundance of room you get with a Wyoming King, but we’re just getting started with giant-size mattresses. Taylor & Wells has the Original Family Bed, and it’s a full 10ft wide. You might think Taylor & Wells made it, especially for NBA players and their families, but you’d be surprised at how many people prefer a 10ft wide bed.
The 12-foot-wide Family Bed XL
There are luxury hotel rooms and apartments in Manhattan and San Francisco that aren’t 12 feet wide! Here again, it may seem unbelievable to you, but there are so many people who have the space in their bedroom, and they take full advantage of it when it comes to their comfort in this gigantic bed by Taylor & Wells.
Again, your choices here are practically unlimited.
Remember, an oversize mattress means oversize sheets and duvets and lots and lots of pillows. Pillow fights can go on for days – not that we’re recommending it or anything.
In the old days, you had to settle for a mattress and a box spring. Not anymore. No more bounce house effect when someone gets up for a glass of water.
Mattresses today come in latex foam, memory foam, pocketed coils, a combination of pocketed coils and memory foam, and more. There are egg crate mattresses (with no eggs). There are mattresses made with a cooling gel that keeps you comfortable during the summer.
Some of the construction methods used today promote air circulation better than others. Ask your local mattress expert can explain the latest innovations. A lot has changed in just a few years, and the benefits are many.
Traditional
Everyone is familiar with the standard mattress and bed frame.
Platform bed
These beds sit lower than normal, and they create a contemporary look for your bedroom.
Canopy bed
Yup, they are still around. Watch out for the bedpost if you’re walking around at night. There’s nothing worse than a stubbed toe on a solid bedpost frame.
Adjustable bed frame
Adjustable bed frames come in all shapes and sizes. Some can raise your legs. Some can raise your head. And some can do both and come with a remote control that allows one side of the bed to be adjusted independently of the other.
Not too big – Not too small – Just right
Have some fun shopping for a new bed and mattress, no matter what size you’re looking for. Whether you’re interested in co-sleeping or not, finding a bed that fits your needs will help you sleep like a baby.
