The below post about bedsharing resounded with me because bedsharing has begun to take a toll on my marriage. We have two mattresses set up on the floor. H sleeps on one, DD sleeps on one, and I go back and forth. Lately I have been sleeping exclusively with DD. Nursing her releases sleepy hormones and I LOVE her snuggles. I've gotten so used to sleeping with her that I can't sleep well when I try to sleep with H. This is so very sad for us. I've decided to try, beginning tonight, to stay awake while nursing DD back to sleep after each waking and go back to H. We are missing the intimacy we used to have. Anyone been there, done that? I can't believe I let it get this far. I truly miss my partner and don't feel connected - we NEED to sleep together. And I am so sad to lose my cuddles with my baby!
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Re: Bedsharing and relationship with partner
I'm pretty much a lurker, but I had a lot of guilt over this issue too. What it came down to for me is this: when my relationship with DH is healthy, I'm a better mom. DS is better off with happy parents and a little less attention than unhappy parents.
I have to put my relationship with DH first. When we married we decided that our relationship priorities would have to be God, each other, kids, then extended family/work/etc. Having strong relationships with God makes us better spouses; having a strong marriage makes us better parents, and having a happy family life makes us better children, parents, employees, etc.
My husband slept in the guest room for 20 months until we turned that room into DS's big boy room and converted his crib to a full-size bed. He never slept well in his crib and, thus, slept in my bed for at least part of the night since he was a newborn. Now DH and I are back in our master bedroom together, but I am also finding that I'm having trouble sleeping there. I just got so used to having DS next to me, that I don't truly sleep soundly until I am in bed with him (I go sleep with him in his bed after his first night waking).
I'm hoping it's just something I will outgrow once DS is older and is consistently sleeping through the night. It has been tough on our marriage, but a little better now that DH is back in the master bedroom and no longer feels displaced. I figure if we can ride this out for a few years (baby #2 is on the way, and I will be co-sleeping with that LO in his/her room for who knows how long), then DH and I have the rest of our lives to sleep in bed together. The babies are only little and needy for a short time.
BFP #2 12/26/11 ~ EDD 9/6/12 ~ MMC discovered on 1/27/12 @ 8w1d (measured 6w2d)
BFP #3 8/10/12 ~ EDD 4/23/13 ~ MMC discovered on 9/13/12 @ 8w2d (measured 6w6d)