Co-sleeping question

MyLovelyUsername

I'm not even pregnant yet, but I've got a co-sleeping question. How do you keep from rolling on top of LO? I mean, I assume that once you have the baby your senses are heightened, but I've heard many stories about the mother or father rolling on top of and suffocating the baby. Is there a way to prevent this?

rosiemomma

Well don't fall asleep drunk, while on medication that causes drowsiness and in the beginning it is best to keep baby between you and the wall rather than you and dad (dads aren't as keen to baby) also try to make sure your getting enough sleep so your not completely exhausted when your do sleep with baby.

here is more on safety while co-sleeping/bedsharing

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/latest-research-co-sleeping-safety 

MyLovelyUsername

rosiemomma:

Well don't fall asleep drunk, while on medication that causes drowsiness and in the beginning it is best to keep baby between you and the wall rather than you and dad (dads aren't as keen to baby) also try to make sure your getting enough sleep so your not completely exhausted when your do sleep with baby.

here is more on safety while co-sleeping/bedsharing

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/latest-research-co-sleeping-safety 

 

Thank you! 

terri_doula2010

FWIW I've coslept at least part of every night for the last 19 months and we've never had any issue. I'm always aware of where DS is when he is with me.

Jill+Dave

rosiemomma:

Well don't fall asleep drunk, while on medication that causes drowsiness and in the beginning it is best to keep baby between you and the wall rather than you and dad (dads aren't as keen to baby) also try to make sure your getting enough sleep so your not completely exhausted when your do sleep with baby.

here is more on safety while co-sleeping/bedsharing

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/latest-research-co-sleeping-safety 

I 2nd this.  We were bedsharing from the day that she was born & still do about 50-60% of the time.  My husband & I never even came close to rolling on her.  And I just slept in layers so we only pulled the covers up to our waists in order to avoid any risk of suffocation.

RunningGal900

I'm actually so hyper-aware of where DS is that we don't co-sleep because I'd be exhausted otherwise. But when we take naps together, there is no way I'd fall into a deep enough sleep to roll over on him. As for DH, I don't bring DS in bed with me with DH - he could probably fall out of bed and onto our 80 lb dog and not know the difference.

C-Charm

Google Dr. James McKenna and the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab (or something like that).  He has researched how breastfeeding mothers are aware of and responsive to their babies in ways that formula-feeding mothers and dads are not.  The two constantly rouse one another and mirror one another's breathing.  Mom often forms a protective "C" shape around her baby by pulling mom's knees up so that they're under the baby and putting her arm above her baby's head.

Or, like I once read:  When was the last time you forgot where the edge of the bed was and fell out?

This also addresses bedsharing and breastfeeding:  abm_cosleeping.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

Mamasaurus

C-Charm:

Google Dr. James McKenna and the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab (or something like that).  He has researched how breastfeeding mothers are aware of and responsive to their babies in ways that formula-feeding mothers and dads are not.  The two constantly rouse one another and mirror one another's breathing.  Mom often forms a protective "C" shape around her baby by pulling mom's knees up so that they're under the baby and putting her arm above her baby's head.

Or, like I once read:  When was the last time you forgot where the edge of the bed was and fell out?

This also addresses bedsharing and breastfeeding:  abm_cosleeping.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

This is a good way to think of it! I will be sure to remember this one.

C-Charm

Dr. McKenna's articles & essays:  https://cosleeping.nd.edu/articles-and-presentations/articles-and-essays/

kcisthebombdotcom

Maternal instinct.

Fathers don't have that instinct, and mothers under the influence of drugs/alcohol/smokers or those who are not utilizing safe cosleeping practices cause the infant deaths you hear of.

bturner13

[email protected]:

FWIW I've coslept at least part of every night for the last 19 months and we've never had any issue. I'm always aware of where DS is when he is with me.

Our son has slept with us too alot since birth for the last year and a half at night and especially during nap time. I think as a mom esp me being a ftm your awareness of where lil one is in the bed is totally heightened. Still to this day when we take naps in the bed I make sure he is still close in reach. He likes to sleep on a pillow and sometimes lays across the bed sideways and moves all around. I make sure to where I'm close enough to grab him and pull him closer towards me when he starts to move towards the edge of the bed. You just become in full protective mode during sleep time and make sure they still sleep safely in bed with you. Pillows have helped too and keeping him surrounded and safe that he doesn't roll off anywhere. Luckily we've never had an issue too. Besides he's been a better snuggler than his daddy. Now we just gotta work back on the sleeping in the crib all night part.

MrsShackleford

DD has slept with me since she was a few days old.  I used to wake up so sore ans stiff from literally not moving an inch all night (or however long she slept). 

Now it's not so bad, but the most I move is from side to back in my sleep.

Maternal instinct is amazing.

C-Charm

KC_13:

Maternal instinct.

Fathers don't have that instinct, and mothers under the influence of drugs/alcohol/smokers or those who are not utilizing safe cosleeping practices cause the infant deaths you hear of.

I think it goes beyond maternal instinct, though.  There's something about breastfeeding that makes a huge impact, too.  Part of it is that the baby smells its mother's milk and the mom who nurses on demand is going to respond to the baby's need to eat.

WashingtonQueen

Ok little Miss 16 year old, quit trying to have a baby! You still have not gotten the hint from the TTGP board??

sherpa

C-Charm:

Google Dr. James McKenna and the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab (or something like that).  He has researched how breastfeeding mothers are aware of and responsive to their babies in ways that formula-feeding mothers and dads are not.  The two constantly rouse one another and mirror one another's breathing.  Mom often forms a protective "C" shape around her baby by pulling mom's knees up so that they're under the baby and putting her arm above her baby's head.

Or, like I once read:  When was the last time you forgot where the edge of the bed was and fell out?

This also addresses bedsharing and breastfeeding:  abm_cosleeping.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

Ahh the protective "C", I crave that feeling but DS is more than half my height now so I can't get him balled up enough to get my short "C' frame around him. And we both slept so well.  Your comment about falling out of bed is so true too, after DS started sleeping in his own bed if I had to go to him in the middle of the night I was lost and couldn't sleep well for months (he was just fine, actually pushed me away if I tried bedsharing). We had lost that connection we had when we were bedsharing.