The Researchers Behind the Science

Mother-Infant Sleep Research

Dr. James J. McKenna (born 1948) is an American biological anthropologist and the world's leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping. He founded and directed the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame, where he held the Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Chaired Professorship of Anthropology. Over more than 40 years of research, Dr. McKenna coined the term 'breastsleeping' to describe the integrated system of breastfeeding and bedsharing. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and author of 'Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions'. His work has fundamentally reshaped scientific understanding of infant sleep biology and the risks and benefits of different sleep arrangements.

Infant Sleep Environments

Professor Helen L. Ball is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre (DISC) at Durham University, UK. She obtained her PhD in Anthropology from Durham University and has spent over 25 years researching parent-infant sleep. She created the Baby Sleep Information Source (BASIS) at basisonline.org.uk, a trusted resource presenting research evidence about biologically normal infant sleep. Her groundbreaking studies on the protective 'C-curl' position of breastfeeding mothers have provided crucial evidence for safe bedsharing practices. She is the author of 'How Babies Sleep: A Factful Guide to the First 365 Days'.

Infant Brain Development & Sleep

Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum holds a PhD in Neuroscience, with a BSc from Dalhousie University and graduate training at the University of Toronto. She is a neuroscientist, certified doula, and infant and family sleep specialist. She is the author of 'The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby's Brain and Transform Their Mental Health', which demonstrates how responsive caregiving — including responsive nighttime parenting — supports optimal brain development and stress regulation in infants during the critical first three years. She is a contributor to Psychology Today and founder of Nurture Neuroscience.

Responsive Sleep Support

Lyndsey Hookway is a London-trained paediatric nurse, children's public health nurse (health visitor), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), holistic sleep coach, PhD researcher, and international speaker. She is the author of six books including 'Holistic Sleep Coaching: Gentle Alternatives to Sleep Training', 'Let's Talk About Your New Family's Sleep', and 'Still Awake: Responsive Sleep Tools for Toddlers to Tweens'. She created the Holistic Sleep Coaching Program, the most comprehensive evidence-based responsive sleep coach education available. Her work bridges the gap between mainstream sleep training culture and responsive nighttime parenting.

Family Bed Solutions

Kasper Bladt-Laursen is a Danish entrepreneur and the founder of FamBed, a company dedicated to creating safe, high-quality family beds designed specifically for co-sleeping families. As a father who practices co-sleeping, he combines personal experience with deep knowledge of sleep surface safety standards to help families create optimal sleeping environments. His mission is to make safe co-sleeping accessible to every family.

Breastfeeding & Night Nursing

Sarah Mitchell is a staff writer at Co-Sleeping.com covering breastfeeding, night nursing, and the relationship between infant feeding and sleep. Her articles synthesize peer-reviewed research and expert guidance into practical, accessible content for parents navigating the early months. She is passionate about helping families make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.