There’s one thing you can be sure of when you talk about co-sleeping on the interweb. It always causes massive debate. Some people can’t think of anything worse. And some families – like this mob of seven – have embraced it to the max!
Meet the Amanda (who goes by Little Southern Wife on TikTok and Instagram). She shared a video just this week revealing that she and husband Derrek – along with their brood of five – all share one enormous bed.
Of course… the internet went wild! There was so many questions as to how seven people could get a good nights sleep, (let alone any sleep) and what type of bed accommodates so many bodies? Do you ever have sex? Well, Amanda was happy to answer them all.
It’s a giant, custom made bed made for co-sleeping
In the TikTok video, Amanda revealed the couple have been co-sleeping with their kids for eight years, and made their bed by combining a queen and king double mattress in a custom frame.
“Eight years ago my husband made our family bed so we could co-sleep with our littles,” she wrote on her video.
Using two fitted sheets and a number of doonas the huge bed can comfortably house the entire gang. After probing, Amanda later clarified that the older kids graduate to their own beds when they’re ready.
Mums of the internet went crazy over the co-sleeping bed
The video has now been viewed 4.7 million times and (of course!) sparked a flurry of questions and concerns. Many pointed out that co-sleeping is known to be potentially dangerous for young babies and can create higher risk for SIDS.
“Co-sleeping is a big no no!” one concerned mum wrote on the video. Hundreds objected writing they loved the idea.“Parent how you want girl,” another mum encouraged. “As a mom I love this,” another agreed. “What about your sex life?” one pondered.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – if it works for you and it’s safe – how you choose to be a mum is nobody else’s business.
We have a healthy sex life Amanda refutes!
Amanda returned to Tiktok to update all the questions and specifically addressed those who claimed their many little bedmates would be the end of intimacy and their marriage.
Many questions had wondered how the couple managed to keep their sex lives going with their co-sleeping bed situation. For those who are actually curious, Amanda says “Stop wondering!” they’re getting at it as much as the rest of us. Go Amanda!
In a follow-up video, Amanda revealed the pair are not shy about using the rest of the house for their mummy-daddy time. The video shows Derrek throwing Amanda on the bed after she finishes tidying it.
“My husband and I have a healthy sex life,” she wrote in a caption on the video. “And explore other spaces in OUR HOME when we want intimacy.”
Safe sleeping, co-sleeping and SIDS
If you need more information on safe co-sleeping the Red Nose website is a great resource to explore. Current guidelines do not recommend co-sleeping as the best option for minimising the risk of SIDS.
“A safe sleeping environment means that all potential dangers have been removed and the baby is sleeping in a safe place. The ideal place for a baby to sleep is in a safe cot, on a safe mattress, with safe bedding in a safe sleeping place, both night and day.
Unsafe settings for baby’s sleep-time include leaving baby unattended on an adult bed or bunk bed, placing baby on a waterbed, beanbag, couch, pillow or cushion, or with a sleeping adult or child on a couch, sofa or chair.
Keep baby’s cot away from hanging cords such as blinds, curtains, or electrical appliances as they could get caught around baby’s neck. Keep heaters or any electrical appliances well away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution. Never use electric blankets, hot water bottles or wheat bags for babies.”
First published Yahoo Seven. Want more information on co-sleeping? Here’s a funny article on what its really like and discussion of the benefits of this practice.
