It’s safety (I get really tired of hearing about how “unsafe” co-sleeping is – that’s beyond ridiculous) and it’s natural nurturing qualities:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/family_bed2.html

…parents who enjoy a family bed and doctors who advocate its use (THOSE ARE GREAT DOCTORS!!) point out that the same internal signals that prevent a sleeping adult from rolling out of bed and injuring herself will also prevent a parent from rolling on top of her infant. In the rare cases where overlying has occurred, it has generally been the result of inappropriately soft bedding or a parent whose sleeping awareness was impaired by alcohol or medication. “The average, typical parent sleeping on a good mattress will be very aware and will not roll over on (her infant),” asserts Dettwyler.

In fact, the family bed may even offer protection against infant death. In his latest peer-reviewed medical research conducted at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and funded by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. McKenna theorizes that infants who sleep alone are at a significantly increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

My note:  I’ve commented on this before, there are links in my sidebar showing studies proving co-sleeping REDUCES the risk of SIDS.  But, don’t get me wrong – I don’t think a parent should lose sleep over this extremely rare mystery.  I don’t believe there’s a cause or a cure, or a prevention, myself.  I know tummy-sleeping is safe for my babies.  But for those that want to “follow the rules”, here’s yet another reason to keep that baby safe and sound right next to you, all night long.  YAY!!!

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I found it highly disturbing that an “expert” could be publishing things like this, however:

Other criticisms of the family bed abound, however. Some, such as T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., does on a Pampers web site (www.pampers.com), claim that when children sleep with their parents “sexual abuse is more likely (Freudian emphasis)…” Family-bedders are incensed and offended by this unsubstantiated accusation.

And a great retort:

The late Robert Mendelssohn — well-known pediatrician and author of several books — noted that when confronted by mental health specialists who feared sexualization of the family bed, he sarcastically agreed that “psychiatrists should not take their children to bed with them, but it is quite alright for everyone else!”

And the quote from the supposed “expert” is yet another reason why parents need to think from their heart, not from the pages of a worthless book. No expert has ever studied YOUR family, YOUR kids, YOUR lifestyle, therefore no book can tell you what you need to do.  By loving your children, following their cues, never neglecting or abusing them, you are doing it all RIGHT – by the only expert that matters – your baby.