Should children be allowed to regularly sleep with their parents? Is this truly detrimental to a child’s health and well-being as most experts say? Co-Sleeping, the practice of sleeping in the same bed with one's infant or young child, is a point of major debate in the United States, although it is quite commonly practiced in most other parts of the world. Many child development experts advise against co-sleeping; they cite concerns over SIDS, the mental well-being of the child, lack of independence and interference of parental intimacy. There is, however, a growing population of people in favor of co-sleeping and they cite just the opposite reasons. These professionals state that co-sleeping declines the risk of SIDS, promotes positive mental health, increases dependency and creates more intimacy between the parents. Children who co-sleep with their parents, particularly their mothers, tend to do better in school, be more outgoing and secure, better behaved and an overall healthy development. Probably the biggest debate against co-sleeping is safety. There is a misconception that infants should be placed in a crib, alone, no bumpers, no pillows or blankets on always on their backs. For years, this is how the “authorities” stated babies and children should sleep.home from the hospital and into the crib. Most leading child experts state that co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS in babies under 3 months old. This is not so according to Dr. James McKenna, who is considered the primary authority on co-sleeping. Dr. McKenna’s research shows that babies who actually sleep with their parents have a 65% decrease in the risk of SIDS. When a baby is in the same bed with his or her parents it increases the likelihood of one, or both, of the parents hearing a child who is in distress and therefore preventing a catastrophe from happening. (Dade). Dr. McKenna also points out that in Japan, where co-sleeping is the cultural norm, the rate of SIDS is the lowest of any other country in the world. (McKenna). Of course in all things one must take precautions co-sleeping with a baby or child. Any adult who chooses this method of sleep should always refrain from drug use, alcohol abuse, and smoking. This will go a long way in keeping babies safe while co-sleeping. (Pantley). Many experts also cite other safety reasons in regards to co-sleeping; according to Rupal Christine Gupta, MD suffoc