Co sleeping and things to know...........

[Newbeginning1]

My mdiwife has suggested i try co sleeping as im on my own and determined to breast feed my DS but he will only sleep on me.

Has anyone got any advice/tips for co sleeping as im nervous about it?

thanks

There are a couple of books on Amazon which are quite good. They discuss what the risk factors actually are (alcohol, smoking etc) so it's quite reassuring to know that you can control those.

I too was nervous and my mum bought me a snugglenest, it goes in your bed but not under the duvet and means baby is close enough to feed easily, see/smell you etc but has slightly raised sides at their head end so you cant roll onto them. Might not suit everyone but really helped me, DD's now 7 weeks and we just normal co-sleep now.

The best thing I think is having a sidecar cot. If it's possible to take one side off the cot you have got and it still be sturdy, then you can use that. Just drill extra holes or raise up the cot or raise the mattress itself to be level with your bed, and push the mattress over to bridge any gaps, and plug the opposite side with rolled up towels. Or you can buy special "co-sleeping" cots.

This means the baby has their own space you can scoot them into if you want to when you have finished feeding and you can't possibly roll on them.

The snugglenests are good, but they strike me as a bit pointless because the baby would be just as close if you put the crib or moses basket right next to your bed. And for me the best part of co-sleeping is snuggling up with them DS used to come off when he was asleep and use my boob as a pillow My midwife said it was fine for him to sleep on his side if he was leaning against me as they only recommend against side sleeping because a side sleeping baby can easily roll onto their front.

There is a useful checklist here: pantley.com/elizabeth/books/0071381392.php?nid=169&isbn=0071381392

I also really recommend you read "Three In A Bed" - it's a lovely book and explains loads about co-sleeping and its effects, it has chapters on breastfeeding and cot death, among other interesting subjects.

Oh and just a note on bedding, your body heat tends to keep them at the right temperature, so I never use grobags if DS is in bed with me, I only used to dress him in a sleepsuit and vest, I would then put a cotton blanket over him folded as many times as I felt was needed that night, (and would adjust during night as necessary - hard to do with a grobag) I also pulled this blanket over me as well to keep my tummy warm and keep as much of him in contact with me as possible. I wore warm pyjamas myself with the front open and put the duvet up against my back and over my legs, and I wore a dressing gown on my top half to keep my arms and shoulders warm. And since it's so cold at the moment I'd probably put the heating on low as well to keep the chill off. I just bring DS under the duvet now but he is 15 months now.

DS was born in October last year and I did all this (without heating on) and he was toasty warm

Erm I meant October 2008 not 2009 BTW.

Thanks everyone. We have just had a nap and DS found it difficult to latch on, is it something that gets easier the more you do it? My boobs have stayed as lemons rather than becoming melons so will this impact us feeding laying down?

I have done the co-sleeping thing with all my children. They are now 8 and 6 and my son at 13 months is still in bed with us most of the time. I just wanted to say, please feel confident about your ability to do this. You will be suprised how aware you are of the baby at all times and the breastfeeding thing (in all positions) gets easier the more you do it. If you have difficulty latching the babe on whilst laying down, perhaps get breastfeeding established in a comfy position sitting up until you and the baby get used to it all. I really feel that your Midwife is right and that co-sleeping gives you the absolute best chance to get breastfeeding established and if your baby needs to be close to you all the time then so be it. Have faith, you can do it.

newbeginning1 it takes a bit of practice but is entirely possible for us with smaller breasts. The down side is that I cannot give the opposite side without flipping DS over, iyswim? Apparently women with larger breasts can offer either one when lying on their side! I have found out lots about co-sleeping from older threads, so you could do a search?

Maybe its the small breasts thing, but it also can be quite tough on your back (maybe because something weird and wonderful keeps you in EXACTLY the same position even if you have fallen asleep for hours) but not half as tough as sitting up feeding all night! Some people put a pillow behind them (but pillows must be kept away from baby).

Co-sleeping saved my just-there sanity in the early days. Good luck!

I'm teeny tiny and can feed from both sides without anyone rolling over. The "top" breast is easiest and you just lean towards your baby. To feed from the "bottom" one (i.e closest to mattress) you need to roll back a bit. Not as comfortable as the top one but you get used to it and it's less if a faff than moving the baby.

I've co-slept with DS2 since birth and wish I'd had the courage to do the same with his older brother. I would have got A LOT more sleep and we'd both have been happier.

BTW it's great that your MW is so pro co-sleeping.

I have small breasts too and I always found it easier to feed from the bottom breast. I sort of roll over DS slightly and dangle my nipple at him to feed from the top one - I think it's possible whatever your breast size, you just have to do some manouvering!

I did get back pain though - or more accurately pain in my hips from lying on them without moving all night. That is why I like the sidecar cot, I can scoot DS over and feel free to roll as much as I want then, I can even sleep with my back to him.