Co-sleep question from a first time mum

[DimlowChips]

Forgive me if this seems a daft question, but exactly how does one go about co-sleeping?

I've found lots of advice on what to be careful not to do, when not to do it etc.... but how?!? DC1 is due in December, and we have a Moses basket ready for him, but just in case he doesn't take to it for the first couple of weeks I'd like to be prepared to have him in the bed with us.

However, I'm terrified or squashing him, pushing him out of the bed or something like that. There must be a technique to it. This isn't something I would want to do if not necessary but I like to be prepared for all eventualities.

[Booboostwo]

A simple solution to babies falling out of beds is to get rid of the bed and just have the mattress on the floor.

I have co-slept with two, both times breast feeding lying down and falling asleep. My lower arm is extended over the baby's head which means I can't roll over the baby. I found it was the only way to get any sleep with a baby that wanted to feed all night long. The only problem for me is that I get hip pain after a few months of being in this position.

[KittyandSqueal]

We co slept with dd1 until she was 2. When she was a newborn I had small pillow under my head, she slept level with my boob for easy access :) I had duvet over my feet and lower legs, warm pjs on and a fleecy jumper on (it was winter). I automatically slept with my arm a over her head and the other below her.

As she got bigger we used a cosleeping crib although she was still in bed with me really. Then we moved onto her cot with a side off bolted up to our bed and she slept in that until 2.

It was lovely and I wouldn't change it for a second. She now sleeps happily in her own room all the way through. The reason she stayed with us so long was that she still woke numerous times until she was 2.2yo at which point we were all starting to wake each other by rolling etc so she went into her room.

[DimlowChips]

Hmmmm... You are all making this sound very appealing. I may suggest to DH that we just give it a go for the first couple of weeks to help DS settle in, once he arrives of course

[Artandco]

Like I said I def would recommend the 'sleepyhead'. Means you can use in living room in day, in your bed co sleeping, or inside another cot, so wherever they are its similar. Ideal if you want dh to do half the co sleeping also as you aren't wrapping arms around baby

[worldgonecrazy]

I bought the "Rachel" cot from John Lewis, took off one of the sides and put it next to our bed so that it was "side-car", i.e. the baby mattress was level with ours. It's great if you have the room. Baby has a safe space to sleep, away from the adults, and when they're small there is enough room at the foot of the cot for midnight snacks and drinks for mum, nappies, wipes, and a small light, so that you don't have to get out of bed at all for feeding.

Depending on the height of your bed, you may need to pack the gap with a rolled up blanket.

It was lovely to fall asleep holding her hand.

If baby is in your bed, get rid of all pillows, and tuck the blanket or duvet under the foot of the bed so you can't pull it up when you're asleep. Also put baby's head higher than yours in the bed, so you're looking at their shoulder - again this prevents you from pulling anything up whilst you're sleeping. When they're little you should also be between baby and any other adult or large child.

[trilbydoll]

Don't forget that tiny baby who is so lovely to cosleep with turns into a wriggly toddler who just wants to sleep horizontally across your pillows

Also, you get more sleep but it's not as good quality. Didn't matter with dd1 but now I've got a toddle to entertain, I could really do with dd2 giving me a bit of space!

[Booboostwo]

Just another thought: it took both of my DCs a bit of time to learn how to breast feed lying down. The first few weeks nights were a bit of a horror with the baby pooping constantly and needing to get changed (I don't touch the diaper for pee, but the poo did need changing and woke the baby up completely in the process), difficulties establishing a latch, posseting, etc. I had to feed in the cradle position so that put paid to any sleep. During this stage, for me, it was counter productive to sleep with DH as it just meant neither of us slept at all.

Sooner or later though the feeding becomes more settled and once you can feed lying down life becomes a lot easier.

[villainousbroodmare]

I bought BOTH a Sleepyhead and a Cocoonababy. I thought the Cocoonababy was a better designed product as the foam is quite solid and nicely moulded so feels the same whether the infant is snoozing on the kitchen table or lawn or beside you in the bed, and it's deep and firm enough that you can carry it without disturbing them at all. I like the Sleepyhead, though it created a bald spot on the back of DS's head in a few days that the Cocoon hadn't in nearly 3 months.

[Artandco]

The cocoon isn't certified for overnight sleeping though, the sleepyhead is.