The phrase is frequently associated with specific media or online content: Co-Sleeping with Kids: A Mom's Real Experience - TikTok

The primary factor in evaluating this sleeping arrangement is the age of the child. In early childhood (toddlers and preschoolers), the need for comfort and security often supersedes social norms regarding sleep. Young children may seek proximity to a parental figure during the night due to nightmares, illness, or anxiety. In a blended family scenario, a stepmother acting as a primary caregiver may share a bed with a young stepson for the same reasons a biological mother would: to provide immediate reassurance and emotional regulation.