cosleeping positions

[folieadeux]

I coslept with my DS from 9 months to about 20 months because he woke up for feeds frequently and at the beginning I was always able to stay awake enough to make sure he was in a safe position before nodding back off. As he got older and bigger/sturdier I didn't worry so much. But with DD who I've coslept with from day one, even in hospital, and is only 6 weeks at the moment, I'm finding I'm hardly waking up feeding her, which is very relaxing except that when I next wake up she's literally under my arm, kind of on her side and really close to me. On the one hand I feel like she's in the safest place in the world, but on the other, I'm paranoid that it's dangerous because she's so small still. So a) how do you stay awake enough through a feed to make sure your DC is secure and b) what sort of position do you lie in? Thanks

[ChazzerChaser]

I didn't stay awake, for me that was part of the point of it. I laid on side facing him, knees curled up, arm out. So he was in that space between my knees and arm. I couldn't roll on him given my knees and arm were right there. He used to sleep head in boobs often.

[ReluctantCamper]

I used to lie on my side, and put DS on his side, propped up with a rolled up towel behind his back (not near his head). Obviously no pillows, no duvet any where near the baby. And DH was in the spare room!

I used to feed with the lights on to try to stop myself from getting too deeply asleep. Once he got to about 3 months, it stopped him from getting back to sleep, so it was lights off after that.

[SpeckledFrog2014]

I have fairly big boobs and used to have to lie on a pillow. The arm I was lying on I used to stretch it up and put my head on it, the other I kept on my side. I was a very restless sleeper but when cosleeping I used to wake up in the same position I went to sleep in. I now bottle feed and sleep straight on the mattress with my head in line with baby's body so even if I did roll I wouldn't land on baby with my body. Must say though you risk having your hair ripped out by little hands like this. I've never rolled or woke up think how dangerous as I found I woke on a subconscious level as did my baby and we just worked with each other. Used to just get my husband to give me a nudge when he came to bed if baby had finished feeding so I could reposition, a bit pointless though as she would only wake me briefly to latch on then back to sleep.

[folieadeux]

Thanks everyone

[chumbler]

if she isn't waking much could she sleep by herself? basket next to the bed? just an idea

[Ruthie1823]

Hi all, I've just started co-sleeping with my 8 week baby boy because he suddenly want stay sleeping in his basket. He seems to hate lying on his back for any length of time - would this be wind problems? Anyway I sleep on my side and he nestles his head in the crook of my arm and my forearm supports his back - he's on his side facing me - or rather my boobs as I feed in this position,. It does mean I get a frozen arm sometimes though. I do find I sleep better though. I just worry that I'm doing something wrong, or that it's bad for his posture to be on his side or that I'll never get my sex life back eeeek! Haha.

[SpeckledFrog2014]

Chumbler not the idea of cosleeping in earnest. Maybe for people cosleeping to survive.
Ruthie could be silent reflux or just preference. I would read up on safe positions and repercussions of each position. Even the recommended on back position can contribute to flathead. Now my lo is older she sleeps on her side some of the night and then rolls on her back before rolling back. She's only been on her front once. I did have a midwife very supportive of cosleeping which is rare, but if you can find one they will be able to answer questions. Avoid Daily Mail articles on studies