This slim, interesting book reports the author’s exploratory study of the phenomenon of co-sleeping in US families. Prompted by recent media attention debating the good and bad associated with infants, toddlers, and young children sleeping with or near their parents, Stewart does not take sides. As a sociological study of everyday life, the book attempts to uncover what really happens behind closed doors. The author aims to investigate co-sleeping families’ nighttime patterns and routines, parents’ perspectives on co-sleeping with their children, how co-sleeping affects relationships with spouses and partners, and parents’ level of openness with others about the fact that they co-sleep. By incorporating lengthy excerpts of interviews and organizing results by theme, Stewart does an admirable and unique job describing families’ experiences in and of co-sleeping. The book's strengths include care in footnoting sources, a comprehensive bibliography, historical and theoretical grounding of the topic, and clear outlining of methodology….

Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

Susan Stewart’s book is an important contribution to the understanding of couples, parenting, and families. With rich interview material carefully analyzed, and with astute reviewing of diverse writings on the topic, this book adds a great deal to our knowledge about what parents do about co-sleeping, why they do it, and how co-sleeping affects couple relationships, quality of life, and much else. It is a real contribution to the sociology of families and of everyday life. It provides an informed and balanced perspective that many readers, including parents and health practitioners, will find very helpful.

Paul C. Rosenblatt, University of Minnesota

Until recently, sleep scientists and clinicians have largely viewed sleep as an individual behavior devoid of its social context. Susan Stewart’s book provides an insightful and evidence-based review of the challenges, quandaries, and debates surrounding the social nature of sleep for couples and families. Ultimately, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach for families when it comes to sleep. This book’s comprehensive analysis will help parents and providers make informed decisions about the best strategy to promote healthy sleep for their families.

Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral and social scientist, RAND Corporation; Certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine Specialist

In Susan Stewart’s nicely researched study, she celebrates the diversity of pediatric sleep, and demonstrates how it is embedded in a social and family context.

Lauren Hale, Stony Brook University School of Medicine