Co-Sleeping

[MissMissy93]

My ds was really good at sleeping from birth. She has been sleeping through the night, 10 hours, since she was 3 months old. And up until recently, I could put her in her cot before she'd fallen asleep, and she would drift off by herself. It was heaven, I showed off, I gloated...

And then she hit 10 months old. Now, I can't possibly put her in the cot before she's already asleep. I've tried the method of letting her cry it out, checking in on her at intervals, but because she pulls herself up into a standing position, it just does not work. It is hours of tears!! So we started letting her fall asleep in our arms downstairs, then transferring her into her cot.

This works most of the time. But now she's started to wake in the middle of the night, and nothing settles her except laying with me. Originally, I would settle her this way, then transfer her back to her room. However, I've begun to let her co-sleep with us. She sleeps better, we sleep better... I know it's the wrong thing to do but I'm at my wits end.

Any other parents in similar situations? I just want her to be happy and well. I'm really trying!!

Why do you think it's the wrong thing to do?

If you're happy and she's happy, then I can't see the problem. It won't be forever, but it obviously works for now. Sleep changes all the time with loads of regressions - just do what you can to get through with your sanity in tact!

I think most parents end up Co sleeping at some point. It's very normal in many cultures. I'd make sure you're aware of the safe sleep 7 guidelines and possibly consider putting your mattress on the floor to avoid any falls. I Co slept from 6-8 months. Luckily my dd started going down in her cot after that point but it was a real help for a while. If her sleep does go downhill again, I'd consider Co sleeping again. It doesn't have to be a forever thing. Perhaps try putting her down in her cot again after a few weeks and see how it goes.

Thank you guys. I've had it drilled into my head that it's a bad thing to do but like yous have stated, so long as she is happy and we're happy, and everything is safe, then there's no reason to stop.

I will give it a couple more weeks and then try to put her to bed as normal. Wish me luck!

It’s not the wrong thing to do if works for you!

As long as you’re following safe sleep guidelines (the lullaby trust had lots of info on this) there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. For many parents it’s absolutely essential for a decent night’s sleep.

My son (now 17mo) goes through phases where he sleeps like a dream and then phases where he goes down well but then wakes in the night and want to come in with us. I prefer him to sleep in his cot because it's more comfortable for all three of us (and as such sometimes transfer him back once he's asleep) but I've also come round to him staying in our bed when he decides that's where he wants to be

I'm feeling so much better since reading these responses! Hopefully this is just a phase, but I'm happy to continue on this way for now. We do it safely so no harm really

DD (just turned 2) goes through phases of not sleeping and at times, for all our sakes, we bring her into bed and have done since she moved into her own room at around 6 months (usually with DH moving into the spare bed). Sometimes I think she just wants some reassurance that we're still there and after that couple of days of coming into bed at various times of the night, she happily goes back to her own bed and stays there.

I still co sleep with my 2 year old, I love it and kind of dread her wanting to sleep in her own bed! I figure she'll be bored of me before I know it so I'm getting all the cuddles whilst I still can