I'm terrified of co-sleeping!

katerpie · November 2011

I have a 5 day old and I'm being told I need to cosleep with him since he wont sleep in his crib. But it is terrifying!! Does anyonee have any advice or any words to calm my nerves?

DawnJM25 · November 2011

You mean co-sleeping as in he'll sleep in your bed? I know sometimes this is frowned upon, but sometimes when my LO won't go back to sleep on his own, I let him sleep in our bed. I sleep on my back with him in my arm in the middle of the bed. He won't get buried under covers that way, and I can sleep in the same position. He sleeps great with me, but I try not to let us get into the habit- only when I'm very tired and don't have the energy to battle the spitting out of the pacifier, putting it back in, etc.

jenbabe3 · November 2011

We co-slept when DS wouldn't sleep in his crib, as well, but I was all for it. If it's something you're not comfortable with, don't do it.

I found this site (It's Dr Sears, who I generally like) helpful; you might as well, if you decide to try it. https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/safe-co-sleeping-habits

As far as being afraid you'll roll onto the baby, the likelihood of that happening is INCREDIBLY slim as long as you're not on drugs (including pain meds that could make you more sleepy) or alcohol. Moms have an increased sensitivity as to their baby's whereabouts, even while asleep. Dads, however, do not, which is why it's recommended that baby be between the edge of the bed and you, not in between you and your partner. Most smothering deaths occurred when mom was on drugs/alcohol, or dad rolled onto baby.

HTH some. We absolutely loved co-sleeping and it was the only way we got any sleep in our house for the first year. GL!

camiea · November 2011

I made the choice of not co-sleeping because of things I deal with at work, but I know that there are some sleeping things you can buy for the bed that allow you to co-sleep but also ease your mind a little about your lo. My lo has issues sleeping in the crib so I have the rnp parked right next to my bed. It is pretty much level with my bed so when I lay on my side he can see my face and I can see him. It works pretty well. I definitely think it is something you totally need to be comfortable with and in addition to the post above about the accidents with the mom on drugs/alcohol, I would also be careful if you are exhausted.

julieb00lie · November 2011

I am the same way. I have always worried that I would roll over him or the comforter will fo over his face or something. I wont even do the side-lying nursing position. On the few rimes that I tried cosleeping with DD, I never fell asleep...I was that nervous. The closest I've done is have DD right next to the bed, in arms reach, in the PNP.

AmyLaurel89 · November 2011

jenbabe3:
We co-slept when DS wouldn't sleep in his crib, as well, but I was all for it. If it's something you're not comfortable with, don't do it.
I found this site (It's Dr Sears, who I generally like) helpful; you might as well, if you decide to try it. https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/safe-co-sleeping-habits
As far as being afraid you'll roll onto the baby, the likelihood of that happening is INCREDIBLY slim as long as you're not on drugs (including pain meds that could make you more sleepy) or alcohol. Moms have an increased sensitivity as to their baby's whereabouts, even while asleep. Dads, however, do not, which is why it's recommended that baby be between the edge of the bed and you, not in between you and your partner. Most smothering deaths occurred when mom was on drugs/alcohol, or dad rolled onto baby.
HTH some. We absolutely loved co-sleeping and it was the only way we got any sleep in our house for the first year. GL!

This! Also, it seems an Arm Reach Co-sleeper might be a great solution for you. If you don't want to purchase another item you can look into how to convert your crib into a side-car. It basically makes your bed even larger so LO has some space of their own but are right there next to you. There is lots of good research that suggests that co-sleeping is safer and may even reduce the risk of SIDS if done safely. HTH.

https://www.cherishyourbaby.com/products/Arm's-Reach-Mini-Co%2dSleeper-Bassinet-%2d-Natural-%2d%2d-4L8AQO00009D6T699 .html

beyoga · November 2011

When we brought dd home she wouldn't sleep in her crib. We all ready had the fp rock & sleep and put her in that. I put it next to my side of the bed. We didn't have any problem with her sleeping there. She is 6 weeks old and slept in her crib for the first time last night, no problem. Slept for a 5 hour stretch. You don't have to do anything you are not comfortable with.

Also the fp rock & sleep is very portable if you go somewhere over night and it's easy to move around the house during the day.

Chatterbug6917 · November 2011

They sell all kinds of things to put in the bed so you don't roll over on them- I sleep with the nap nanny in my bed- he loves it and I get sleep

mdargie · November 2011

Chatterbug6917:
They sell all kinds of things to put in the bed so you don't roll over on them- I sleep with the nap nanny in my bed- he loves it and I get sleep

This! Please, please please co sleep safely!! Also, you may try a rnp (rock n play) or a pack n play with a cuddle bassinet:

https://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=graco+posie+pack+n+play&gs_upl=1714l5823l0l7167l20l13l2l1l1l1l657l2977l0.9.2.5-2l16l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=698&wrapid=tljp1320850466495028&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11280992497038325557&sa=X&ei=7ZO6TojVKYqa2AWl9cG1Bw&sqi=2&ved=0CGEQ8wIwAg#

https://www.google.com/products/catalog?pq=graco+posie+pack+n+play&hl=en&sugexp=ppwl&cp=10&gs_id=q&xhr=t&q=rock+n+play&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=698&wrapid=tljp132085050633924&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9471495977838369124&sa=X&ei=EpS6Ts2OEYiGsgL95cDeCA&sqi=2&ved=0CG4Q8wIwAQ#

DD slept in the pack n play cuddle bassinet much better for a while. Also try swaddling with the miracle blanket or the swaddle pods with the velcro. DD still loves her swaddle, even now that we have transitioned from the cuddle bassinet to the big part of the pack n play.

OUKap · November 2011

I slept with the pnp right next to the bed for a few weeks.

Sometimes LO will sleep with me in the bed in the early morning when H has already gotten up. I am very careful with the sheets. I pull the other corner over and only cover up to the waist so no sheets would end up over LO.

red1976 · November 2011

I wouldn't let anyone tell you what you need to do. If you're not comfortable co-sleeping then don't! My LO was in a bassinet right near my bed for the first # of weeks because like you I was too nervous to have her in my bed.

stardust317 · November 2011

I was the same way initially, but there have been some nights when LO will only stay quiet when she's up next to me. I lay on my side with her head on my arm. I keep the covers around my waist and this works for us, but I try to keep it as minimal as possible.

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