Co-sleeping advice needed

[winniethepug]

I've been co-sleeping with my 21 month old DS since he was born. He started off in our bed and when he turned 18 months old I put a double mattress in his room where I now sleep with him each night. Its very cosy and a lovely room but I'm ready to move back to our marital bed and also pregnant.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to change this gently? He's fine on his own from 8pm until about 1am when he would notice I haven't slipped in to bed with him and then its a real issue until I join him. If my husband sleeps in with him, he feels his face during the night and recognising that its not mummy (due to my husbands stubble) he kicks off again.

Thanks

I advise getting him his own bed and start off a few night him in that with you still sleeping the the room. The maybe once hes used to that. Start slipping out when he's asleep. You may have to go back in at 1am but it's a start. It will help having separate beds but he will still have comfort that you are in the same room.

It's really difficult to give advice as every baby is different and only you know how far you will push your DS if you feel he isn't ready. I tend to give my 12mo dd her last bottle in our bed. wait ten minutes till shes asleep then move her into her cot in the next room. Shes been sleeping better lately and will go through the night more often than not now but for her when she wakes up its coz she's hungry and wants a bottle then she goes straight back to sleep. So many people have said to me she should be getting up for a bottle etc just leave her to go back to sleep but the fact is thats what she wants and she drinks it all. I'm not prepared to let her scream and get in a state when i know that will calm her down and in 20 mins she'll be back to sleep.

have you tried introducing a teddy as a comfort? Maybe if he wakes up that may re assure him to go back to sleep. Use it in the day and introduce it at meal times etc ..as in teddy is hungry so he feels comfortable with it. It may sound silly but my DD cuddles her teddy at night.

Hope it works out ok! :)

I agree with the above but how about making a big deal of the bed buying? He could have say a racing car bed (if it's within budget, there are lots of cheap fun beds around) if he wanted and be a really 'big boy'! If he has a hand in choosing HIS bed then he might well be a lot happier sleeping in it?

My ds is 22 months and would not get the whole choose your own big boy bed thing, too young still.

Have you tried getting in at 1ish when he wakes and then getting out again once he's settled? If he wakes up a lot after this and everyone ends up getting stressed, I would carry on co-sleeping tbh, you will get more sleep atleast. He may be more ready in a few months.

Or get your dh to have a really close shave before bed?!

i co-slept with dd since the start and shes nearly 3 now. her bed is now next to mine in my room so shes next to me but in her own bed. im not really bothered about privacy etc as long as shes happy and i get a decent nights sleep.
i know tats its probably back tracking but just a tought. as you will have your own bed and he'll be secure..
also im presuming that you will co sleep new baby and this may lead to problems with jealousy etc as he's a bit young to understand why baby gets to sleep near mummy but why he cant?

this is just a thought.. hope you go on ok. :)