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

Cuddling or co-sleeping with pets is especially likely to trigger allergies. — Jane Sykes, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026

Officials said that about 74% of the cases involved co-sleeping, where a parent or guardian shares a bed with their infant. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Police arrested and charged a 27-year-old Monroe woman in her baby’s death after determining the infant died due to co-sleeping. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026

Co-Sleeping With an Infant Is Never Ok Remember never to co-sleep with your infant. — Heather Gowen Walsh, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026

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