To co-sleep or not to co-sleep? Kourtney Kardashian finds herself at the center of this parenting debate yet again. Recently, she took to social media to share her continued practice of bed-sharing with her youngest son, Rocky, alongside a snippet from the audiobook Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions.
Known for her unapologetic parenting style, the 45-year-old reality star captioned her post via Instagram Stories on Tuesday, July 2, “*been co-sleeping safely since 2009, I still love reading/listening to more safe co-sleeping tips and hearing about the benefits.” This isn’t her first rodeo — Kardashian has navigated the choppy waters of public opinion on this issue with her other children as well.
The controversy around co-sleeping stems from concerns over safety. Critics point to risks such as suffocation, strangulation, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), as noted by resources like KidsHealth.org. However, advocates, including some healthcare professionals, argue that co-sleeping fosters a stronger emotional bond between parent and child.
With four children under her wing — Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, Reign, 9, and the newest addition, Rocky — Kardashian is a seasoned mom. She’s shared in the past on her blog, Poosh, that Penelope has been her co-sleeping companion for years, often migrating only for occasional sleepovers at her aunts’ homes, Khloé or Kim Kardashian.
“When I had my daughter Penelope, I made the decision that we were going to co-sleep (where with Mason it just happened),” she wrote. “When I was pregnant with P, I read The Attachment Parenting Book by Dr. Sears and really related to his point of view on the sleep method.”
It’s unclear if Penelope has continued to co-sleep next to her mom after the birth of baby Rocky last November, but Kardashian’s openness about her family’s sleeping arrangements continues to spark discussions online.
At the end of the day, parenting is a personal journey filled with unique choices. For those curious or considering co-sleeping, consulting with a pediatrician for personalized advice could be a great next step.