So fast asleep that I didn’t wake up with everyone knocking?

[dreamerkr]

I have a 6 week old and I’ve been getting less sleep although not that less last night. Something really weird just happened. I cosleep with baby (safely), we both fell asleep 2 hours ago, baby woke up crying and I didn’t wake up as I didn’t hear him. My brother from the other room heard him crying and came knocking on my bedroom door which was locked, I still didn’t wake up. Some other people too came knocking I didn’t hear. I woke up mins later and many missed calls later. I have no idea how this just happened. And honestly I’m so worried. My family are so scared that I had fainted or something but I hadn’t. I don’t know what to do I’m so scared and feeling so.. weird about what just happened. I’m never such a heavy sleeper that I wouldn’t wake up after all this.

If DH does all the night feeds, are you just used to sleeping through baby waking? Subconsciously thinking DH will deal with it? Except he wasn't there this time.

I absolutely agree with you that you should stop cosleeping though - anything could have happened and you wouldn't have been aware. You could have rolled over and tipped baby off the bed by pulling the duvet, or even just flipped him over so he was face down. It doesn't bear thinking about. I know it's hard when they won't settle (DD wouldn't sleep unless she was being held either) but I'd rather them be safe and upset than asleep and in danger.

Give yourself a break. Cosleeping will be fine IF you start doing it safely – won’t repeat the links and advice on the thread as it’s all sound, but don’t make yourself more tired by not doing it and ending up awake all night.

You say you slept well the night before: I sometimes found myself more tired once I got a taste of proper sleep, your body craves it and goes “Yes! That’s the stuff!” So you end up deep under given the opportunity.

For some people that ends up as not hearing the baby; for me I just hallucinated a lot when I woke up – DP would bring her in for a feed and I’d be like “I’ve got the baby”. He’s all: “No, I have the baby, take her.” Me: “No, that’s not the real baby, this is the baby.” That sort of thing. Sleep deprivation makes you mental,’including not hearing stuff.

Take the lock off the door so you don’t lock it out of habit. Your brother and FIL are unlikely to barge in if you’re feeding with the door closed, right?

And yes, a sleeping bag (make sure it's the right size, must be impossible for baby's head to fit through the neck hole) is good as you can cuddle them to sleep and then when you lay them down they're still wrapped in the warm sleeping bag, there's no temp change of putting them onto the sheet. That's what used to wake DD I think.

This happened to me. My baby was screaming next to me and I didn't wake up till my husband came to wake me. I was just really exhausted.

Get your iron levels checked etc I've done this a few times (minus the sleeping baby) been unable to wake up and usually my blood sugers have crashed if I've over indulged on the sweet stuff the day before

Don't co-sleep

It's bad idea anyway and even worse if your not waking up

Thank you so much guys

Don’t put clothing in the bassinet with baby. People have posted safe sleep guidelines for you. Read them !!!!!

Just read them, I won’t

Lots of great advice.

At the moment your situation sounds very unsafe for you and the baby.

How does your DH help with night feeds if he's locked out of your bedroom away from you and the baby?

Why do you feel unsafe in your own home that you lock the bedroom door at night? I've need heard of this in the UK apart from when people have boarders or lodgers.

You obviously live with extended family, which could be a wonderful thing, but it sounds like you only live with males in the house, no females? Is this why you feel unsafe at night and lock your door?

The very deep sleeping and the locking of the door make me feel your problem is stress related, and that your living situation is a massive contributor to that?