I've been reading through old posts for about an hour and figure it's time to just ask! ...to safely nurse side-lying while bed sharing, do I need to be concerned about repositioning LO(on his back before we fall back asleep? DS is 4 weeks old and it seems he would sleep on his side nuzzling my breast if I let him. Any input would be much appreciated!
This "protective cuddle curl" is what Dr. James McKenna (the premier mother-infant sleep researcher in the US) observed as a protective factor when practicing safe-bedsharing, so I wouldn't be concered about it. You can read all about his work here: https://cosleeping.nd.edu/.
when DS was a newborn, he would often fall asleep on his side, facing me, with his head on my shoulder and my arm curled around him. i absolutely would not worry about it, provided you are following the other safe cosleeping guidelines. you will be very aware of where your LO is- if they stir or reposition yourselves, you will wake up.
DS is 6 months and we have only recently stopped bedsharing. I side nursed in bed around that age many times a night and although I was nervous as well, he would always unlatch and either remain facing me sleeping practically in my arm pit or roll to his back on his own.
DS1 and I would always fall asleep while nursing, I wouldn't worry about it but if you'll feel safer, it's not going to hurt anything to roll him to his back.
GSx1 - 05/13/2013 GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
Read the study from McKenna. The face to face position is discussed. Fun fact, the average mom will check on their face to face child 12 times a night, even though she will not remember most of it. He discovered that during his sleep studies.
Re: Side-lying nursing and bed sharing
More Green For Less Green
GSx1 - 05/13/2013
GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!