Just lowered cot for the first time

[basilflower]

We've just lowered the cot for the first time as ds is able to pull himself to standing. Just put him in it asleep, but it was hard work reaching so low.

Does anyone have any tips of how to do this (multiple times a night) without breaking my back/waking ds in the process of lowering him?

I co sleep after the first few wakeups, but I'm worried there will be even less wake ups before I co sleep (because I will just give up earlier!) if I don't find an easier way to get him back in his cot!

[MoominaMama]

No advice I'm afraid but we are also about to do this and I am dreading the same thing. I will be keeping an eye on this. Hopefully someone will be along with some wise words soon.

[TryingtobePrepared]

Only way to stop it being back breaking is to put them in awake then the manhandling is easier sorry

[Phalarope]

I perfected a sort of roll-and-drop manoeuvre... (The getting them out was easier because they were usually standing up shouting)

[KittyCatKittyCat]

Climb in there with them...
Never thought I'd do it, but you fit. When you have to!

[Cavort]

We bought a drop side cot for this reason.

[Latium123]

I manage to put mine in asleep with the cot lowered. It was a bit clumsy to start with but now I have it down to a fine art. I cradle her in my arms the right way up for the cot, stand as close as possible to the cot and bend over the cot side lowering her down while leaning on the side of the cot kind of putting my weight on it so I don't hurt my back so much. When she reaches the mattress I keep my hands on her and kind of slightly roll her onto her side (baby equivalent of a hug and roll a la Friends!) Then I try to adjust her into a safe position on her back but she seems to kind of settle into her own comfy position. That works for us but I;m not sure it's very easy to explain in words!!!

[basilflower]

Well I managed it twice last night before I gave up and went to my bed with ds, which is more than I imagined!

I love the reply about getting into the cot too, am very tempted! But how do you get out again?!

[mrsmugoo]

Yes as soon as mine went in cot he had to learn to go in awake - I couldn't lift him in asleep as it was too low even on top setting. So I did sleep training -child abuse- at 17 weeks and it was the best thing we did! DS started sleeping through a 5 or 6 hour stretch from waking every 2 hours.

[AntiHop]

I drilled some extra holes so that the drop isn't so far down. I'll lower it further when she's taller.

[basilflower]

Well I'm 2 nights in and it's not as bad as I thought. Though I'm only putting him in twice a night and then bringing him into my bed, if I had to continue all night it would definitely wreck my back! But then again it probably would have with it higher too.

[ThatsNotEvenAWord]

My DS sleeps on his front so i hold him under his arms and start at the feet end, sort of draping him into the cot. He's fast asleep when I put him down so usually he just does a little wriggle to get comfy.