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Original poster

Falling asleep during breastfeeding, worried about SIDS

28 replies

Caipulli · 27/05/2025 23:23

My 11 week old baby feeds at around midnight, 3am and 5/6am and will only fall asleep in my arms.
i have a next to me crib but i can’t put her in it immediately after feeding as she isn’t in a deep enough sleep and wakes up instantly, so i keep her in my arms until I’m sure she is sleeping soundly. This can take 30 to 40 minutes after the feed.
However, as the title says, I have fallen asleep a few times and woken up with a jolt with her still in my arms.
I am propped up with a big long nursing cushion on either side of my arms and pillow behind my back so I probably wouldn’t fall or roll over but I’m still worried about SIDS.
I’ve tried making a smoother transition to the crib so I can do it earlier - keeping my weight on her for the first few minutes, hot water bottle etc but it doesn’t work.
Any advice or reassurance please? Thank you!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Superscientist · 29/05/2025 08:16

I kept my pillow but had it on an angle so I was sleeping on the corner of it but there was not pillow on the side where baby was.
I had covers from my waist down

Really your partner needs to stop smoking, second and third hand smoke can have an impact on baby and increase the risk of SIDS as well as increasing the risk of breathing issues.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/health-concerns/second-hand-smoke#:~:text=Second%2Dhand%20smoke%20and%20third%2Dhand%20smoke&text=Second%2Dhand%20smoke%20can%20harm,their%20baby's%20SUDI%20risk%20increases.

Second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke and vapour: effects on children

Second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke and vapour can cause serious health problems for kids. To reduce risk, quit smoking and have a smoke-free home and car.

https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/health-concerns/second-hand-smoke#:~:text=Second%2Dhand%20smoke%20and%20third%2Dhand%20smoke&text=Second%2Dhand%20smoke%20can%20harm,their%20baby's%20SUDI%20risk%20increases.

Burntt · 29/05/2025 11:06

I still used my pillow but as a op said kept it at an angle away from baby. I had the covers from about thigh down and tucked in so not loose- I just can’t sleep with my feet out. It’s about keeping these things away from baby so baby isn’t going to accidentally have their face covered.

if your partner smokes he shouldn’t be in the bed. If he’s obese this is also a risk I’ve read. Personally even with a healthy non smoking partner I’d not want them in the bed as I like baby to have lots of room when tiny. If he can’t be exciled to sofa maybe start going to bed as soon as he’s home from work and he does till midnight ish just bringing baby for feed and watching so you don’t worry you will fall asleep- don’t even sit up just feed baby and he takes baby back to burp and resettle in a different room. Then you go on duty when partner goes to bed

Moodlable4045 · 29/05/2025 11:41

He's not being exiled to the sofa, he’s helping to facilitate a comfortable and sustainable sleep solution for his partner and new baby, so as a family you can weather the storm on new parenthood. Or get a mattress on the floor in your room? But if you’re doing all on the night feeds then maybe getting hubbie to sit & hold baby while she sleeps until 12/1am and let you sleep for as long as possible until the next feed.

He can’t smoke and sleep in the same bed as baby, as others have said. It’s a no no & increases SIDS risk.

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