Mother-child bed-sharing in toddlerhood and cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Abstract

We examined the predictors and consequences of mother-child bed-sharing at 1, 2, and 3 years of age in a racially/ethnically and geographically diverse sample of low-income families across the United States. We analyzed data from 944 low-income families who had children assessed at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years of age. Mothers who were Hispanic and black were more likely to bed-share with children at ages 1, 2, and 3 years than other mothers. Maternal negative regard also predicted bed-sharing. Bed-sharing at ages 1 to 3 years was bivariately associated with poorer behavior and cognition at age 5 years. However, these associations lost significance when child and mother characteristics were controlled. There seem to be no negative associations between bed-sharing in toddlerhood and children's behavior and cognition at age 5 years.