safety and bedsharing question

NYGirl02 · May 2012

So, I am not a big bed sharer and am not really interested in it. LO does however wake up occasionally and I bring her in to bed to nurse. A few times I have fallen very deeply asleep while she was nursing. Deep enough that I have forgotten she was even in the bed and it takes me a moment to realize it before I move her back. Last night, she was between me and DH and this happened. I don't mind bed sharing for naps, but when DH is in the bed it does not feel like a safe option because it's a bit of a tight squeeze and I feel like both DH and I sleep too deeply. DH sleeping elsewhere is not an option for our family. Is my only option to stop doing the side lying nursing and just sit up in bed with her to nurse, or are there some other safety measure I can take to make it safer if we do fall back to sleep?

tokenhoser · May 2012

A bed rail and keeping her on that side would likely be safer. Make sure to only use one pillow for yourself (and DH, no stray pillows) and light blankets.

I fell fully asleep breastfeeding, but I never moved.

jasieandry · May 2012

I always keep lo on my side. Most moms will instinctively remain in a safe position but dads don't always have the same instinct. If you're worried about lo falling off the bed a bed rail would be a good solution.

StefandTodd · May 2012

I was going to also suggest nursing her on your side with a bedrail or with your side against the wall. I have always fell into a deep sleep side-lying nursing my LO but I have never worried that I would harm him by doing so.