Hi everyone, I have recently become a new mom and have decided to co-sleep with my baby. While I believe it's the best option for us at the moment, I've been receiving a lot of criticism from friends and family. They seem to think it's unsafe and not a good habit to create. How do I deal with this criticism and stay confident in my decision to co-sleep?

Hi there, I completely empathize with your situation. When I started co-sleeping with my baby, I too faced criticism from various friends and family members.
Initially, what helped me was to clarify why I had made that decision. As long as you've got solid reasons for why you're doing what you're doing, it's easier to brush off the criticism. When I received negative comments, I would remind myself of the benefits of co-sleeping - for both myself and my baby. For me, it was a chance to bond with my baby, to feel close to her while we both slept, and it definitely made midnight breastfeeding sessions much easier.
Another thing that helped was to be confident in defending my decision. I found it helpful to do a bit of research beforehand, so that I could provide a well-informed response. This helped me to justify my decision when others questioned it.
Lastly, finding like-minded individuals helped me to feel less isolated. I found several groups on social media that were specifically for co-sleeping parents. It was reassuring to know that other parents were doing the same thing, and that I wasn't alone.
Remember, at the end of the day, you know your baby best. Make sure you have done the necessary research and are following safety guidelines. Trust your instincts and your decision to co-sleep. As long as you are confident in your choice, you should feel empowered to ignore any criticism you might receive.