You’ve heard it here first folks: children can share a bed with their parents until they’re seven! This surprising piece of advice comes from well-known health guru Mickey Mehta, who recently participated in a candid YouTube interview with entrepreneur Ritesh Bawri. “Till seven, their mirror neurons are working and they are very sensitive,” Mehta shared, “They will learn everything subconsciously, when the child is asleep”.
Mirror neurons, a hot topic in recent neuroscience findings, play a crucial role in how we learn to socialize. However, the jury’s still out on whether they’re pulling an all-nighter in our subconscious while we’re snoozing.
Mehta also brought up an interesting concept: bed-sharing can synchronize heartbeats. He noted that when scared children are comforted by their mother, their erratic heartbeats can return to a regular rhythm. While a 2019 study found some truth in synchronized heartbeats amongst co-sleeping pairs, there’s no solid evidence linking this to children’s developmental needs.
It’s worth mentioning that, despite his title as a health guru, Mehta isn’t a medical professional or scientist and is better known for his unconventional claims. His ideas left pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin in disbelief, who said “Bed wetting is common in many children due to bladder immaturity and not anxiety.” She adds that “Independent sleep is possible and developmentally typical and can actually mean better sleep for the child AND parent.”
In summary, the question of when a child should stop sharing a bed with their parents remains debated. While health gurus like Mehta provide their own recommendations, the final decision ultimately lies with the parents. As always, when in doubt, consult a medical professional.
