safe co-sleeping?

mamacat123 · February 2012

So apparently DD only wants to sleep in bed with me and DH! She will scream and cry if we put her in the bassinet or pack and play or anything else. DH and I are ok with co-sleeping, but of course I am really worried about SIDS, etc. Does anyone safely co-sleep/bed share with their LOs? She's only 2 weeks old...this isn't a permanent solution, but I feel like the next 4 weeks are going to be survival mode, and if we have to survive by sharing a bed with her so everyone sleeps, so be it!

I've read that we have to remove blankets, pillows, etc...but we have a pillow top mattress and I'm not sure how that will work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thinkerbelle80 · February 2012

I feel the same way as you do but I'm scared because the AAP says there is no way to safely co sleep and I don't know how I would prevent myself from rolling over and smothering my baby in my sleep. Every co sleeping mother I've asked about this simply says... oh but you won't roll over as long as you're not under the influence. How do they know I won't roll over? they don't even know me. i'm a very sound sleeper and I toss and turn a lot. So, I have not given in to it even though it seems so wonderful. We've been swaddling her and then nursing her to sleep and that has been helping a lot.

nikileebaugh · February 2012

right now, DS sleeps in our bed too. we bought the boppy lounger, which is just like the pillow but no hole in it. it's high enough up that we can't roll onto it. like honestly, it's higher than my pillow so there's no way i can roll on it. he fits perfectly in it, it's got an indent for his butt so he can't roll. we swaddle him and he never moves or has a problem with it.

we've been sleeping this way since he came home. i know there is no way co-sleeping will be completely safe, but it works for us! of course the lounger says it's not for sleeping, but we put it in between the two of us and we all get sleep. we will transition him into his co-sleeper in the next few weeks, but as of now he hates that thing and anything else that has alot of room in it.

here's the lounger we have:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WDAW5Q/ref=asc_df_B002WDAW5Q1888828?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002WDAW5Q

klrrat · February 2012

we couldn't get dd to sleep in her pack and play until we put her boppy pillow in there too. Should would only sleep in her swing which is in the living room so that resulted in us sleeping on the couch, not ideal. Now that we have the boppy pillow in there with her she sleeps great! We swaddle her and then put her in the boppy in the pack and play, everyone sleeps great! The only time we co sleep is her and I after my boyfriend feeds her in the morning around 7. We sleep till about 9 (only on weekends) I would never feel safe co sleeping all night. Our morning co sleep is more of her sleeping and me just laying until i feel like getting off, possibly dozing in and out.

Huahine · February 2012

We have been bed sharing for 4 weeks. We love it. LO sleeps on a waterproof pad between us. Bed sharing prevents SIDS, it doesn't cause it. You and LO will both sleep in a shallower state, which helps babies remember to breathe, thus preventing SIDS, and keeps moms from rolling over on them. However, bedshareong is only safe if you are breast feeding. if you are formula feeding, a sidecar is a safer option. see https://cosleeping.nd.edu/ for more info.

SoonToBeMsP · February 2012

I let DD sleep on my chest for about an hour after her morning feed, and sometimes I put her in the bed between DH and me for another hour before her next feed. Normally we are both pretty sound sleepers, but it's amazing how things change when your LO is next to you. I am totally aware of where she is and if she's sleeping/dreaming/awake/etc. I bet you'd be fine!

jason&robin · February 2012

DD has been sleeping in our bed a lot. I don't like to put her between me and DH because he isn't as aware of her as I am and I don't want the blankets to be shifted over her head. She sleeps next to me on the other side and I put my arm out and above her as a sort of brace and then put my other arm over her. I never move and if I did, I'd go to my back in the other direction. I have a cosleeper and always try that first but I nurse her a lot in bed and I usually fall asleep.

MissusW · February 2012

I used to be able to get away with the baby sleeping in his bassinet. then I had to keep waking up and pressing the vibrate button or the nature sounds. Then he was so fussy I'd have to soothe him. Eventually it turned into I woke up and he was on me and I go the easy route and have him in the bed with us.

It's true you sleep differently when they are in bed with you. Usually he's swaddled but if he's not, he cuddles and I love it. *shrugs* I'm usually a by the book person but I enjoy bed sharing. I do still allow him to sleep in his bassinet until he won't be consoled any longer.

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