Newborn nappy changes and co sleeping

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I have 3wo DS and a 15mo DD. On nights when DS won't settle in his crib fairly easily, I have been co sleeping which, in terms of sleeping and feeding, has worked well. We're all set up safely, he can't fall out, he's well away from pillows and duvet, I can't roll on him the way I sleep and neither DH or I drink or smoke.

However, it has gone so well that on several occasions now, it gets to 6am and I realise I haven't changed his nappy all night! I can't remember what I did with DD, but she was much less settled than DS, so we would often try a few nappy changes a night to see if that would settle her. I suppose he would tell me if he was upset about it?! His bottom is fine but his groin area has had a little rash. Should I be trying to wake up properly and do a nappy change?

Also, I feel I am almost sleeping too well?! The hours between 12 and 6 are passing blissfully unnoticed at the moment. I can tell by whichever boob he has had access to that he is feeding, but I don't really remember him feeding. I am confident he is safe, but does anyone else who bfs and co sleeps feel like they don't really remember the night feeds?

Can't believe this is DC2 and I still don't know what I'm doing!

I bf my ds, now 19 weeks, in bed and I too can't remember his feeding much - though I do swap his side by shimmying over, that part I recall!

I don't think I'd be worried, he's obviously feeding, but we did do overnight nappy changes till recently (and even now he gets on in the early morning - he wees so much sometimes that the nappy can't contain it all night)

Aside from the nappy element, sounds like you've found a great routine really early

I can't offer any tips/advice re. the co-sleeping but re. the nappy changes overnight, if he doesn't seem bothered by it I'd leave it and enjoy the sleep. Invest in a good barrier cream such as Bepanthen or Sudocrem and apply liberally before bed and he should be fine. If he does get nappy rash (which he probably will when teething) then the best cream I've found is that yellow one. Can't remember the name . Will have to Google...

metanium it's great. Dd recently had really bad nappy rash - bad enough to bleed upon wiping (she cut two molars and both her lower lateral incisors at the same time) and one overnight application of this sorted it out lovely.

I've never changed a nappy in the middle of the night unless it was pooey. Modern nappies are so good at staying dry next to the skin that simple 'wet' changes aren't necessary.

I'd only change if pooey or if he was obviously unsettled, and second the advice about putting the cream on before bed.

My 8wk dd seems to be quite sensitive to being in a wet nappy but she was uncomfortable enough to let me know so I usually change her at some point in the early hours.

She had a little nappy rash recently, but it was caused by frequent poos in the space of a day. The rash cleared up fairly quickly with diligent regular changing in the day, loads of sudocrem at each change, and some nappy free time every evening.

I only ever changed poo nappies at night too.

The best thing about co-sleeping/breastfeeding is sleeping through the feeds

a bit of nappy off time in the day is always good.

happy sleeping it sounds lovely!

I'm the same with co sleeping at night, DS just latches on & we both sleep well! co sleeping is actually good for newborns as it regulates their temp & also regulates their breathing, I'm hugely for it :) x

Thanks for your replies everyone. This has made me feel better. I will change him if he's upset or if I wake up enough for it to occur to me that it would be a good idea! His bottom is fine really, but I had forgotten that I used to do a lot of nappy off time with DD (again, she needed a lot of entertaining and DS is so laid back).

And yes, I'm going to enjoy the sleep and cosying up with DS! Thanks!

I used to pretty much sleep through night feeds, it was bliss. If I try it these days dd (14 months) wakes me up by sticking her finger up my nose

Agree with others that I'd only change a pooey nappy in the night or if it actually leaked.

Nappy off time is so much easier in the summer, our flat feels too chilly for bare bottoms at the moment

Nappy off time is so much easier in the summer, our flat feels too chilly for bare bottoms at the moment

Geez! I hope and pray and wish my 2nd is like this you lucky cow!

I cosleep with DS2 and breastfeed and I'm currently getting woken every hour (DS2 pings my sleeping bra straps, smacks me on the back, whines and moans in my ear, etc etc) so I'm well jealous - enjoy the sleep while you can get it :-D

As for nappies, as others have said I only change a nappy at night if its pooey, generally he goes in a disposable at 7pm and is in it until 8am the next day and its never leaked.