how to breast feed at night when co-sleeping is not an option?

[cappy1]

Hi mums

My hubby is a smoker and I am due have a baby in about weeks time and am trying to find a sleep/feeding solution that works for us.

I am not comfortable with co-sleeping because DP smokes so have looked at the best-nest option (bed attached to side of our bed with separate sheets/blankets etc) but when it comes to breast feeding I am not sure what to do - I could bf on the side away from my husband but what about when I have to swap boobs?

I was wondering what other mums with partners that smoke do re bf at night?

We also do not have any extra room for a second bed - which would be my preferred option - so other than sleeping on a new mattress on the floor I am stuck for ideas...

You and baby have the bed. Tell him to sleep somewhere else until he is prepared to give up smoking!

Hmmm I couldn't sleep with my babies in my bedroom. Mine had a got in the small room and there was also a single bed so I would feed them with baby laying between me and the wall and then I would switch head end to feed from the other side. I used to have a pillow at each end and never had to worry about falling asleep whilst feeding.

My partner doesn't smoke, but I couldn't get the hang of feeding whilst lieing down. I used to get up and watch telly. You get used to it after a while.

What about having the cot next to your bed? Feed the baby and then pop him/her back in? If you have your baby in a gro-bag that will help them stay nice and warm and less likely to wake when you put them back into the cot.

a bedside crib/cot will be fine.

it's ok for baby to feed lying down in your bed, you just don't want him/her sleeping there all night. so when it is time to feed on the side nearest your husband you just need to feed and pop her back in the crib. or, sit up in bed and feed her if you feel you might fall asleep otherwise and then put her back in her crib

Thanks mums for the advice - I feel better about it now.

I am still a bit worried about feeding next to smokey husband especially if we (me and baby) fall asleep - I may go for the single mattress option. Car girl - I like the idea of switching boobs by switching from head to toe - I had not thought of that!

If I am feeling up to the challenge I will also suggest he sleeps on the single matress as suggested by MarkStretch!

I couldn't sleep well with baby in our room. Had a crib initially but when baby woke up went downstairs to feed watching TV. After around 6 weeks baby was in cot in own room (next door) again went downstairs to feed.

I couldn't feed lying down for the first couple of months anyway and also as each feed took around an hour initially didn't want to disturb DH or risk falling asleep.

After around 8 weeks he slept all night. When he started waking again at 16 weeks he could fed lying in bed and as each feed was quick (less 10 mins) I generally just fed him in bed and then put back in cot.

My dp is a smoker too.

What I do is use a bedside cot, so ds has his own space/sheets etc. When I feed in the night I pull him over to me, but I only feed on one side in the night so ds is never between me and DP. I try to get ds back in his cot after a feed, but often fall asleep feeding. I just move him when I wake up.