Help with advice for cosleeping

maddie80

DD has been cosleeping with me forever.  When she was a newborn, she was in her rock & play some, but now that she's 8 months, she's almost always in bed.  She sleeps like a champ there and I love having her close. 

BUT - as she gets more mobile, I want to figure out how to keep her safe both at night and during naptimes.  So far I've been doing the pillow bolster, and we bust a move to get her immediately when she stirs.  What are my other options?  I don't like the idea of her getting caught in a siderail.  Should we just put the mattress on the floor?  Help!

maddie80

Also, I'd love to get a tiny bit of feedback from other mamas.  DD has never slept in her crib.  At this point, since she's coming up on a year, I almost wonder if we should hold off until she is bigger (18 months or so) and just transition her to a toddler bed?  I can't decide if this is a great idea or a really dumb one. 

oliveralot

Sometimes there is no gentle easy transition for either of you... especially if you enjoy your child in bed.

For the 8th month old, it will probably take several nights of tough love, but your little one will be okay and will adjust.  It sucks to hear them cry.  If you want to be the silent sufferer, turn on the monitor to listen/watch for that piece of mind, but avoid going in more than usual feeding/waking.  She will get tired and fall asleep.   I would transition sooner than later.  A crib prevents your sweetie pie from climbing out.  A toddler bed is fun, but I can almost gaurentee that if you wait, she will find her way back into your bed on her own.  It adds one more step. 

Does she have a stuffed animal, blanket, or pacifier for something familiar or comforting?  Assure her that you will see her in the morning.

When your kiddo wakes, ALWAYS greet them with love and smiles no matter what the hour or how tired you are.  It has resulted (for me) in the happiest little munchkin when he wakes up.

PS  A fan has worked wonders in creating white noise and helps my little one to sleep longer.

Good luck!

katncrack

Our little one takes naps in her pack n play and at night she starts in her crib for the first few hours. When she wakes up she joins us in bed. It took us awhile to get to this arrangement, but it means that for naps and early evening she is safely on her own. We still get to sleep and cuddle later when there are two of us to keep her safe in bed.