Advice on co-sleeping

[Notonthisplanet]

Hi

So I seem to have a Velcro baby. Dd is five weeks and wants holding all day and night, she will not sleep in Moses basket or cot, I've tried swaddling and gro bags but is only happy when sleeping on us. I didn't particularly like the idea of co-sleeping but see it's probably the only way forward for all of us to a half decent nights sleep. So any advice from anyone that's done it would be appreciated and how to make it as safe as possible, thanks x

This is what I do, others may do it differently:

Get a bedrail (I got mine at Argos) and have baby sleep between you and the rail, not next to your DH. This is because mums sleep more lightly than dads so you will be more aware of where baby is than him.

Don't allow any of your pillows or bedclothes anywhere near baby. Use a baby sleeping bag.

Always sleep on your side, facing baby, with your underneath arm curled above baby's head, and your knees slightly drawn up. This creates a safe cocoon for baby to lie in. When you get uncomfortable you can change ends of the bed so you can lie on your other side and still keep baby between you and the rail.

Never drink or smoke or take any drugs before co-sleeping.

Oh, and co-sleeping cots can be quite handy - I used one for several months before I got the bedrail (to make more room in my bedroom since the cot was only acting as a barrier to stop baby falling out!)

Agree with Flats - only I kicked OH out of the bed so I had more room for manouevre!

By the way, in the sleeping position I've described it can be difficult to find a good place for your other arm (the one that isn't underneath you and curled round top of baby's head). I usually tuck my hand between my thighs, but some alternatives are to lay it along the length of my body (this can be a blancing act), or make a fist on the bed in front of my tummy and balance the arm over the fist, or stick my arm up over my head.

Hope all that makes sense!

Check out the UNICEF guidelines - dh and I followed it for our dtds. Dd1 was always in a cot and we had to do proper sleep training as I was trying to follow what hv said. With twins we Co slept then by 6 months they happily went into a cot. happy sleeping.

Excellent advice from Flats (btw, Flats, what bedrail did you get? Currently have the same problem of an unused co-sleeper whose only function is to stop velcro DD falling out of bed.)

Wear warm clothes, especially over your top half, so that you aren't cold without the duvet/blankets. This book: www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Your-Baby-Parents-Cosleeping/dp/1930775342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388504534&sr=8-1&keywords=sleeping+with+your+baby+a+parent%27s+guide+to+cosleeping
also has excellent, evidence based guidance on how to co-sleep safely.

Flats - Re: The "problem of the other arm" I found I could keep it balanced and comfy by sticking it down the side of my knickers and out onto my thigh!!

Thank you all for those quick responses, we shall see how we get on. I am slightly apprehensive about doing it but all very helpful advice and given me more confidence in it, I'll even try the other arm through my knickers

Just don't wear too tight knickers!! cos you'll cut off the circulation to your hand !!!

Surya I have a Tomy bedrail.

I don't actually wear knickers in bed but if I have tight enough pj bottoms on, I have indeed been known to utilise them in the Placing of the Other Arm along the thigh!

Hi, can't think of anything helpful to add but just wanted to say I was in the same position as you with my DD, now 11weeks. I had never been a fan of the idea of co-sleepinbg, I just didn't think it was for us. However DD had her own ideas, and cried every time we put her down in her moses basket, or anywhere else, day and night. In the end I cracked because I was exhausted and had not slept for more than an hour at a time since giving birth. I cuddled her next to me, and we both had the best sleep! Shes slept next to me every night since, only waking for feeds then straight back to sleep again. Good luck to you, hope it works out!