Making the Community Bed Work for You
It’s come to that time in your family life that you must decide what the next step is in adapting to your child’s routine once again as she becomes a toddler.
One of the most important aspects of a child’s routine is her sleep schedule because, well, we all know a cranky toddler can make things a little stressful for the entire household.
The best sleep methods for children are widely debated, but it comes down to finding the option that works best for you and your child.
While there are many ways that you can transition your child’s sleep routine as she becomes more independent, there is one method that can help both parents and children sleep more soundly.
Will the Community Bed Work for You?
Also referred to as the “family bed,” the community bed can act as a method of parenting, sleep-training and overall lifestyle that incorporates the idea of co-sleeping with an infant carrying it into toddlerhood.
When deciding to adopt the community bed, you should first assess the size of your bed and if it is a realistic approach to utilize this method.
Obviously, in order to co-sleep with a growing child and assuming there are two parents in the bed, the size of the bed should be on the larger side.
There are multiple mattresses and bed frames out there that can safely accommodate a small family, so if at all possible, parents should readily prepare to practice community bed sleeping.
Specifically, family beds are a viable size option from certain retailers marketed to parents who co-sleep, which can in turn work for community sleeping as well with young children.
A Family Bed XL is the equivalent to the size of two California Kings, spanning 12 feet across.
Regardless of whether you opt to go to this extreme to fit your family in a single bed, a perfectly normal King size mattress does the trick.
There are measures you can take–like including a miniature, padded mattress topper fit for a toddler’s body–to enclose your child in a safe parameter to prevent unintended movement in sleep.
In 2020, there are many tricks and tips for raising your little one, and it only takes finding the perfect fit for your family to better your little one’s sleep routine in a way that makes sense for parents too.
Tips for Using the Community Bed
Change in any part of your life can require some adjustment, so taking the time to figure out what works and what doesn’t is essential in choosing this sleep method.
You’ve heard it before: it takes 21 days (three weeks) to form a habit and stick with it.
So, make your sleep a priority and consistently follow a regimen as if it were your skincare or exercise routine.
We spend a large majority of our life sleeping, and it is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle for both children and adults alike, so there prioritize perfecting your family’s sleeping habits.
Sleep is fundamental to a child’s development, and by sharing a sleeping space with your child consistently, you will create a trustworthy bond with her and allow for your relationship to become even stronger.
Additionally, when consistently sleeping in the same bed with your child, there are known to be fewer interruptions in both children’s and parents’ sleep.
No longer are the days when you hear the familiar cry from down the hall for mom or dad in the middle of your much needed sleep.
Uninterrupted sleep is a game-changer and means you will be more well rested and able to function better in your role as a parent, spouse, employee and pet-owner during the day.
With the plethora of information about the best ways for children and parents to sleep, the decision is ultimately yours, so take this article as an exploration into the uniqueness of the community bed.
Here at One’s Own, we’re committed to making your bed even better with our organic Tencel mattress protectors and discussing all things home life because at the end of the day, that is what truly matters.