Co-sleeping six month old

[Eggcellent29]

Hello everyone!

I’m just looking for some other people’s experiences really - it’s hard with lockdown/no groups to get a real life perspective so I’m hoping that I can get some here!

My DS is 6 months old and has always been a good sleeper. Recently, he has started stirring in the night for a cuddle. He doesn’t do this for naps, he stays in the next to me. He sometimes has a bottle but even then still wants a cuddle

This is absolutely fine, I like it! But I can’t sit up with him anymore - he is too big and my back is injured from his birth. I also worry that if I fall asleep sitting up, the risks to him are high.

So I’ve been cosleeping with him (on his back, in a bag, blanket away, my arm out to stop me rolling, pillow out of reach, next to me crib alongside him so if he does roll he will roll into it) for about an hour or so each night before he goes back in the cot. I tend to doze in this time but have occasionally actually fallen into a proper sleep.

Now I am aware of the risks, I’ve deiven myself mad about them. But it is hard to determine what the ACTUAL risk is. I can’t find anything that gives the risk of you cosleep safely, just the overall risk (which ofc doesn’t apply).

So I think I need some real life perspective.

Please could you share any similar stories? Were you as worried as me? Am I worrying too much?

Any experience welcome! Thanks :)

[lemorella]

I co-slept until about 7 months. You are doing all the right things to make it as safe as possible. Your little one is now old enough to be moved into their own room. Would you consider this?

In terms of your quality of sleep it just won't improve until you have your bed back. At first my little one woke for a cuddle or quick feed in their own cot but now sleeps right through as I stopped bf'ing at night and if dc was unsettled I would go into their room and pat or rub their back rather than pick up.

If you are happy to continue co-sleeping and it's making you happy then of course carry on.

In my view, babies need to be taught good sleeping habits and my life was transformed once I got some quality sleep again

[qwertypie]

Co-sleeping is normal. To be as safe as possible, follow safe co-sleeping guidelines. What makes it risky is our habitual sleep environments (thick blankets, pillows, soft mattresses, gaps down the side of beds etc.) and other preventable hazards (drinking, smoking...).

If you are looking for some statistics related to risk, I recommend this infographic from Unicef aimed at healthcare staff (it's not technical - it's easy to interpret) www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/sleep-and-night-time-resources/co-sleeping-and-sids/amp/

[qwertypie]

Also, this leaflet, from Unicef again, on caring for your baby at night. From pg 9, there is information on safe bedsharing www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/sleep-and-night-time-resources/caring-for-your-baby-at-night/

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I did on and off co sleeping- I think my LO slept better tbh once in her own room at 7 months- she’d stir but just go back to sleep most times.

[CrazyOldBagLady]

We have coslept from newborn to 2.5 years and it's been great for us. I think I read somewhere that bags aren't recommended as they may overheat or get trapped under you and not be able to move. Might be an idea to look into that. As far as I'm aware safe cosleeping is very safe indeed. Good luck with it!

[minnieok]

We coslept. At the time (20 years ago) there was evidence that cosleeping could reduce cot deaths (something to do with infants being stimulated by being next to you) obviously always the warning about alcohol, sleeping medication etc. Co sleeping cots were just being introduced, I along with most my friends just had what was called then "a family bed". There has need cosleeping tragedies but not sure if there were additional mitigating circumstances. I breastfed mine lying down so that's how it accidentally started.

[xtinak]

I coslept from 4 months because that was the only way to get sleep. I am very sure that it was safer than the alternative in our case because I kept falling asleep with DD sitting up where she could have fallen out the bed etc. I put my mattress on the floor for extra peace of mind and we slept on that as she is very active in her sleep. I did worry initially but I basically feel that I had no choice and I did the very best possible! I stopped worrying probably when she was 6 plus months and feeling quite robust.

[qwertypie]

@CrazyOldBagLady

We have coslept from newborn to 2.5 years and it's been great for us. I think I read somewhere that bags aren't recommended as they may overheat or get trapped under you and not be able to move. Might be an idea to look into that. As far as I'm aware safe cosleeping is very safe indeed. Good luck with it!

You're thinking of duvets, no?

The whole idea behind baby sleeping bags is to prevent overheating, getting trapped etc. Having their arms free is important.

They're recommended by the Lullaby Trust
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/sleeping-products/

[xtinak]

I also got rid of my duvet and went for a much lighter smaller fleece blanket that was easier to keep away from DD and if I was cold I wore a hoodie!

[xtinak]

My understanding is that the bags are safest - that is what we use - but it is important to never combine the sleeping bag with an additional blanket on top. It had to be either or.

[Keha]

The book Sweet Sleep by Le Leche League explains a lot about cosleeping and is worth a read if you think you might do it more long term