co-sleeping

noun

co-sleep·​ing (ˌ)kō-ˈslē-piŋ 

: the practice of sleeping in the same bed or close by in the same room with one's child

Parents should be aware of potential co-sleeping risks, including accidental smothering and children falling off the bed.

—Nicky Cohen

Besides making a baby feel safe, co-sleeping extends the quality time that parents can spend with her.

—Martin E. P. Seligman

compare bed-sharing

co-sleep

(ˌ)kō-ˈslēp 

intransitive verb

co-slept (ˌ)kō-ˈslept  ; co-sleeping; co-sleeps

… a mom of two in Atlanta. She loved breastfeeding, she returned to her career in marketing after maternity leave, and she co-slept with her babies for years.

—Parenting

Examples of co-sleeping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Back at the podcast studio, Kourtney continued talking about co-sleeping, saying that she's now gotten used to it. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

Americans who have visited the Scandinavian region (Sweden, Norway, and Denmark) are bringing back unique hacks to get the benefits of co-sleeping without the tug-of-war. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2025

Later bedtimes, co-sleeping, and room sharing—practices more common in some Latino households—may affect both sleep duration and how parents perceive their children’s rest. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

What are your thoughts about co-sleeping with kids? —Tessa West, CNBC, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for co-sleeping

• beekeeping
• bookkeeping
• gatekeeping
• housekeeping
• peacekeeping
• safekeeping
• timekeeping
• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• keeping
• leaping