#385 Co-Sleep Discussion with Integrative Infant Sleep Specialist, Brittany Chambers

Join us for an enlightening conversation as Brittany Chambers, an integrative infant sleep specialist, shares her wisdom on co-sleeping—a practice that many parents naturally gravitate toward but find themselves battling against societal norms. Together, we challenge the conventional wisdom and prevailing beliefs around infant sleep, examining the intersection of modern science and ancient parenting practices. As we continue our exploration, we turn our focus to the intricate mother-infant dyadic connection and how Western medical practices can sometimes interfere with this natural bond. Drawing from McKenna's research, we discuss the nature of this relationship and critique the modern emphasis on consolidated sleep, which often disregards infants' biological needs. We reflect on historical and cultural shifts in infant sleep practices, highlighting how the rise of hospital births and solitary sleep has suppressed maternal intuition. Our conversation encourages a critical reassessment of these entrenched beliefs and emphasizes the importance of trusting instinctive parenting.Finally, we address the complex and often misunderstood topic of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices for infants. Brittany provides valuable guidelines for safe co-sleeping, highlighting the importance of parental awareness and a supportive sleep environment.About Brittany ChambersBrittany Chambers, MS, IFSS, is an Integrative Infant Sleep specialist who blends modern science with ancient wisdom to walk women back to their intuition. Britt founded Good Night Moon Child to bring the developmental science, anthropological realities, and neurobiological norms of infant sleep into the mainstream. She also runs Cuddle Crew, an online community for cosleeping moms and works 1:1 and in group settings with mothers all over the world on infant sleep, nervous system regulation, matrescence, and peaceful parenting. Britt incorporates myriad modalities into her work to decode sleep struggles and optimize outcomes for babies and their families. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two young kids.Connect with Brittany ChambersEmail: [email protected]: www.goodnightmoonchild.comInstagram: @goodnightmoonchild In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:Co-Sleeping and Mother NatureThe Legacy of Infant Sleep TrainingSafe Co-Sleeping Guidelines and Risk FactorsUnderstanding Safe Sleep Practices for InfantsEpisode resources:Stu's interview with FVD International https://www.youtube.com/live/mg7oOjok37w?si=mFF9us4bSO-BiH1MPatreon Episode: Late Night Scrolling & Medical Advice is Bad For Your Health https://www.patreon.com/posts/late-night-is-113273233?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkDefinition of SIDS: "Cause assigned to infant deaths that cannot be explained after a thorough case investigation, including a death scene investigation, autopsy, and review of the clinical history." Which is separate from the AAP's categorization of sleep-related infant deaths. https://www.basisonline.org.uk/hcp-sids-risks/Keller, M.A. & Goldberg, W.A. Co-sleeping: Help or hinderance for young children’s independence? Infant Child Dev, 2004.Okami, P., Weisner, T. & Olmstead, R. Outcome correlates of parent-child bedsharing: an eighteen-year longitudinal study. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2002.Peters, E., Lusher, J., Banbury, S. & Chandler, Chris. Relationships between breast-feeding, co-sleeping, and somatic complaints in early childhood. Infant Mental Health Journal, 2016.Maselko, J, L Kubzansky, L Lipsitt, and S L Burka. “Mother’s Affection at 8 Months Predicts Emotional Distress in Adulthood.” Journal of Epidemiology and Community Healthy 65, no. 7 (July 2011): 621-25.Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions, James McKenna: https://www.chaucersbooks.com/book/9781930775763This show is supported by:LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness programChristian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseMama Meals | Go to mama-meals.com code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for $10 off a small box or $20 off any other box. Go to mamamealspantry.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off pantry itemsConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram:@birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite:birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail:[email protected] line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com