Is it ok to spend a night sleeping away from baby?

[CatherineTheGr8]

My baby is 8mo formula fed (after lengthy breast feeding dramas). I'm knackered and fatigued from lockdown, as is everyone. My DH suggested we each have 1 might a week when we sleep in another room (on the sofa), in order to get a proper nights sleep. We normally alternate baby night feeds - we are both at home at the moment. We are normally together in one room with baby.

So tonight is my first night on the sofa and away from my baby since she was born. My DH will look after her and I might get a good nights sleep...?

I feel I miss her and my DH and that I'm a bad mum for sleeping in another room away from them. Am I right or do I need to have a word with myself?

I hope you managed a good sleep OP! It's the same as putting your oxygen mask on first when the plane is going down, your child needs you to be able to cope and if that means getting some uninterrupted sleep then do it and don't feel guilty.

You are being ridiculous but it's understandable being a first time mum and not knowing without hindsight that this is ok. I remember when my ds used to take his naps, sometimes 3 hours and I used to sit on the bed watching him for 3 hours. Yes thats some silly stuff I did. Dh and I laugh about it now. Hope you feel rested op. It's a great idea that you and dp splits this.

@hansgrueber we live in a 1-bed flat, so the baby doesn't have their own room.

Definitely need to give your head a wobble.
I went to Spain for 3nts to celebrate my 40th Birthday with friends when DS (PFB) was 5mths old. His father is just as capable a parent as I am.

DD is 5wks old and DH has slept in with DS every night since she was born as I'm breastfeeding and no point in us both being awake. I'll be having a night on my own as soon as I can. In fact I've just booked a hot tub stay with friends for a weekend in November. I can't wait!

Enjoy the rest xx

No not at all, please enjoy having a night off!

Thanks. We do split night feeds but obviously I just wake up when baby wakes, even if it's DH turn to feed. So it was a good idea to move to the sofa and a completely different room. I didn't hear anything but I was awake in the night wondering if baby was ok. Like I said I think I've become v attached due to having baby in Covid and baby never having met anyone else, spending every day and night with me. Hopefully it will get easier and I am going to do the same again next week, so it should get easier / more normal to sleep without baby there.

Thanks for the reassurance to those who didn't suggest I was being obsessed FTM!

Great idea!!

@CatherineTheGr8

Thanks. We do split night feeds but obviously I just wake up when baby wakes, even if it's DH turn to feed. So it was a good idea to move to the sofa and a completely different room. I didn't hear anything but I was awake in the night wondering if baby was ok. Like I said I think I've become v attached due to having baby in Covid and baby never having met anyone else, spending every day and night with me. Hopefully it will get easier and I am going to do the same again next week, so it should get easier / more normal to sleep without baby there.

Thanks for the reassurance to those who didn't suggest I was being obsessed FTM!

It’s been very strange having a baby in lockdown, so perfectly natural to feel a bit confused about it all and what you “should” be doing.

As restrictions begin to lift you’ll be doing different things with your baby and hopefully seeing more family and friends. It does make a real difference. More sleep is always appreciated

Enjoy it op it will do you the world of good.

I had a wonderful day and night in a local hotel while my husband looked after our (breastfed) baby and two others under 6yrs. I was gone for 20hrs and it was the most amazing night in my recent life (I did it prior to lockdown)..

It's a great idea to sleep by yourself one night a week - enjoy!

Our 18 month still insists on cosleeping so we take it in turns. We find 2on2off to be best as it gives you long enough to ‘recover’ on your nights off but not too long to be too many nights in a row on the ‘duty’ nights.
Currently pregnant again and will breastfeed but once weaned (or if ff) we will definitely start the on/off thing much earlier it’s sooooo much better than splitting up the nights as nobody gets a good nights sleep ever!