Co-sleeping... not exactly by plan

[NaiNaimom]

The time has come to admit what is going on in our bed. We are co-sleeping.

Actually, it's been so long now, I don't even know when it started. It all began with Nylah waking up several times a night crying when she was teething. So I guess that puts it back before her first birthday, at the very least!! One thing led to another and she took over our bed!

I know the idea of co-sleeping is frowned upon by some pediatricians. While others are on the fence, and still others seem to actually promote it. I am on the fence... I have gotten so used to Nylah's little head next to mine, I hardly even think about it. But a part of me wonders if I am doing the "right" thing. Mostly, I am leaning towards one doctor (not sure which one... is it Dr. Sears? will have to check) who says co-sleeping is okay, and that when a baby is ready for their own bed she will move to it naturally. Hmmmm.

As the crib was sitting empty across from our bed (yes, we wanted her in the same room while an infant), I decided the other day to change it into a toddler bed. It is a transitional crib, so this was just a matter of removing the front bars and screwing on the little guard rails on left and right side of the matress with a little opening for her to climb in and out of bed.

My hope is that my little squirt will take to the bed this way, since she didn't like the crib. She is already very tall and big for her age, so she can pull herself up on the toddler bed and then squiggle off butt first. She does this all day long while I watch her, and she seems to think it is the most fun ever. She hasn't gotten to sleeping in it yet. But I am starting naps in it.

 Well, we'll see. I know opinions differ as shown by the doctors who differ. But in the end, I think it is up to parents if they want to co-sleep or not. I used to worry quite a bit, but after reading up on it, I'm inclined to wing it and trust in my motherly instincts.... since I'm winging it on most of this parenthood stuff already.

Not exactly the plan, but hey.... I mineaswell soak up the baby days while I can. There's only so long I will be able to curl up next to her and feel her rolling over to my side at night.

[PerpetualPonder]

Aug. 3, 2007 at 2:36 AM

Both my girls slept with me from the time they were born. I had a crib in the other room for naps if it was noisy in the house, but at bed time.... all mine.  I think the familiarity with the crib helped them change over when I decided to start them sleeping in their own room cos I really had no problem with it.

Trust the mom instincts. (Not all forks are tools of destruction as some would have you believe) :)

[Vonirae2]

Aug. 3, 2007 at 7:41 AM

I dont have a strong opinion of it, but I didnt and wouldnt personally do it only because I watched my older sister do it with her son and he ended up being 5 yrs old screaming becuase he didnt want to have to go sleep in his bed... I refused to let my kids do it after watching him terrified of being alone in his bed... it took a long time but eventually he got used to it... but my sister went through hell to get him there.

As for me.. I let Alanna sleep with us on and off as needed.. if shes feeling bad or we fall asleep and forget to put her back in her room.  I say to each his own.. everyones situation is different.. I see it as the same as pacifiers and bottles.. its just another thing to have to wean them off and Im all for making life easier and moving them on to the next step to independence.

You have to do what is right for you. That Dr isnt in your house so you have to do what you need to do I guess.

[milf_momma2two]

Aug. 3, 2007 at 8:36 AM My son co-sleeps too! and when i tell you it wasnt exactly my plan I really mean I was one of those people who were AGAINST it. I always said NEVER EVER EVER EVER will I share my bed with my baby! and i fought it kicking and screaming the whoooole way. I held out until my son was almost 2, he was still waking up every 2 or 3 hours (yes an almost-2-year-old) so i finally gave up. and will you believe the day I let him sleep in my bed was the day he stopped waking up? I have given up and realized I have a son who does not like to sleep alone - at least right now - and im hoping hes out of my bed before hes like 10 or something, but thats just him, hes cuddly and doesnt like to be alone, so ive got myself a co-sleeper. Oh well! haha

[khelawanj]

Aug. 5, 2007 at 1:13 PM My son sleeps with me and I love it because I can feed him easier, and he sleeps longer when he's next to me.  I think mother's intuition is better than what a doctor will tell you.  Just don't roll on her!

[calliemist]

Aug. 11, 2007 at 1:29 AM

With my son I slept with him as an infant, but he eventually just adjusted to his crib. However when we travel, he just sleeps with us. no biggie and he doesn't have to adjust back to his own bed when he gets home. It just happens , no problem at all.

He now sleeps on his toddler bed (given to us by a friend.). I used to let him take his daytime naps in his toddler bed and then sleep through the night in his crib...but eventually he just kinda started sleeping the the toddler bed for nighttime also and now it isn't much of a problem at all! So easy transition there.

Now with Ms Victoria. I sleep with her alot also. lol. I love it...and I"m sure she'll adjust naturally to her crib too.

I used to worry about co-sleeping also, but don't anymore. These are my babies and I want to enjoy cuddle time and plus it's easier for night feedings and then hey they grow up so fast already anyway. So do your thing mama. :)

oh my son sleeps bad that I have to put his bed up against the wall and put the crib up close to it so that he doesnt fall out! I can't wait to buy my sweetie a bed!

[1gr8mama]

Aug. 15, 2007 at 4:40 PM Hi! I think that you are doing great "winging it". If that does not work, then fly your wings down another path. Personally, I resisted my doc's advice to let my son cry and reassure him in brief intervals. I resisted ... at first. After 3 months of my son wanting only to sleep on me, in the rocker, away from my bed and my HUBBY, I sd to doc: Now what is it that you told me to do 3 months ago?  His doc had a paper with directions on how to gently get the baby in his crib. I have to admit that it took only two nights of true hardship. However, I do love to cuddle with my son. So, I compromised. I still held him when it was time for his nap. At 4, he hardly naps anymore but we find time to cuddle. ONE more thing, I think it is fine to let her sleep with you sometimes, as long as you and your husband have the one on one time that you need. Remember, teaching her to fall asleep on her own is like teaching her to use a fork ... it is a skill that she has to learn.