Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark The Co-Sleeping Controversy: What Parents Are Getting Totally Wrong | @cosleepy
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Jan 9, 2026 In this engaging discussion, Tiffany Bellinger, founder of CoSleepy and co-sleeping advocate, dives into the science behind why babies thrive on closeness. She shares safe co-sleeping practices, debunks misconceptions, and discusses the biological benefits of proximity, such as enhanced bonding through oxytocin. Tiffany addresses stigma surrounding co-sleeping, critiques mainstream sleep training, and emphasizes its role in supporting breastfeeding. This insightful conversation reevaluates a controversial parenting choice with evidence-based alternatives.
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Personal Nighttime Turning Point
- Tiffany found her baby only settled when held and melted into sleep when nursed, which led her to co-sleep.
- Frustrated by fear-based messaging, she researched safe practices and founded CoSleepy to help other parents.
Research Sparked A Practical Mission
- Tiffany read Dr. James McKenna's research after a friend recommended it and then created cherry-pickable guides for exhausted parents.
- She built CoSleepy because parents lacked concise, practical safety information in the middle of the night.
Proximity Lowers Infant Stress Hormones
- Physical proximity during sleep raises oxytocin and lowers cortisol for both mother and baby, buffering stress responses.
- Video studies show many co-sleeping pairs barely fully wake during nighttime feeds, easing resettling.