Co-sleeping?

[Bangersandmash1]

I'm expecting DD in April.

We have a one year old DS who's a great sleeper and very rarely wakes in the night so I've become accustomed to getting a full nights kip again so am dreading being up every hour or two again.

I hear co sleeping makes it a little easier.

Can I ask if you have co slept and if so how can I ensure I do it safely?

We have a next to me crib. I was always nervous of full co-sleeping so this was a good compromise for us. I like baby has their own safe space but is still next to me. However, she’s an awful sleeper so for us her being next to us co sleeping didn’t make a difference! Can’t say for baby being in the actual bed.

I love cosleeping with DD 4months. We get so much more sleep this way. If I have another, I’ll do it from day one.

Make sure baby has own sleeping bag so duvet and pillows can’t get onto their face. Make sure you are between baby and DP so they can’t roll onto baby. Do a protective C shape with your arm outstretched above baby’s head - this makes it impossible for you to roll onto baby. Breastfeed if you can as this is recommended for safe cosleeping.

If done safely cosleeping is actually thought to reduce risk of SIDS. I think this only applies if breastfeeding though.

There's different things you can do. Co sleeping is with a side along cot like a next to me which is what we have. Bed sharing is when they're actually in bed with you. I didn't want to bed share as I can't give up my duvet! But Co sleeping has been a god send for us dd is breastfed and still wakes hourly at 9 months. I just roll over shove a boob in her direction and roll back when she's done. Takes 5 minutes at most and I'm asleep again.

Safe cosleeping is no more dangerous than a baby in a Moses basket. Look up the Durham University Basic website - I think they have an app now. They give you detailed evidence based info including have the baby’s face level with your boobs and sleeping in a c shape around the baby.