6 week old - napping in sling

[ethelfleda]

My 6 week old DS has become almost impossible to put down for a nap in his Moses basket during the day so I have taken to putting him in a sling in the afternoon to sleep for a few hours so he doesn't get over tired. We have the baby k'tan which is a life saver!
My question is... Would it be out of the question to nap myself while he is in the sling?? If I sit upright and prop myself up etc??
Also, any tips to help him nap in his Moses basket welcome. We haven't tried a dummy yet as trying not to but maybe this might be the way to go??

I wouldn't nap with him in the sling. None of my DC napped in their baskets. They would sleep in the sling or nap with me on my bed. Could you nap with him safely on your bed? No duvets on him or pillows and have yourself curled around him.

I'm not sure if you should as you need to make sure that his Airways are always clear. Will he nap lying next to you instead?

Yes you would be completely unreasonable but I would try napping on a flat surface with him beside you.

I've googled.safe co-sleeping but I keep reading how dangerous it is! Just tried to find some visuals of how best to do it but there are so many warnings! Desperate to get another hour or so of sleep during the day to function!

Bed sharing, when done correctly, is much safer than napping with baby in the sling. Can you shift furniture around so one side of the bed is against the wall? If you put baby on the wall side and you are curled around with your back to the other side of the mattress, baby won't be going anywhere and you'll both likely have a very refreshing nap.

Try here www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/cosleeping-safely

www.isisonline.org.uk/image-archive/ Co-sleeping images there.

This leaflet has some guidelines for safe co sleeping. I think a nap on a bed with no covers next to your baby would be safer than sleeping with baby in a sling. However I know I have nodded off sitting on the sofa with baby in a sling and it has been fine. I always take the baby's head out of the sling so she it is just resting on my chest when I do this.

www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/11/Caring-for-your-baby-at-night-web.pdf

The bed is actually almost against the wall anyway so I could push it right up against it no problem. What about blankets for the baby?? Would it be best to swaddle him?
I have him in a next to me crib at night.

It wouldn't be safe for you to sleep while he is on the sling, no. Bed ageing safely is probably the way to go for you. Tuck covers under yourself, wear long sleeves so you don't get cold, keep pillows and all covers away from baby, pop them in their sleeping bag or whatever you use to keep them snug. I found popping a pillow behind me, in the small of my back, helped me stay comfy while lying on my side curled around baby. Lee covers etc below baby's shoulder level at all times. Cosleeping is such a life saver when done safely. Enjoy the sleep. As for Moses basket, you could try sleeping with a blanket so it smells of you then putting that in the Moses. Also warm the mattress with a hot water bottle and then remove it before putting baby in so it's cozy.

Don't swaddle and cosleep. He needs to be able to alert you if he is in trouble. Put a little blanket over him up to his waist or have him in a light weight sleeping bag.

I probably wouldn't swaddle when bed sharing, I don't know what the official guidelines say but I would be a bit worried about them overheating. Best to put them in a sleeping bag, and sleep in warm clothes yourself with the duvet and pillow well away from the baby.

Why not swaddle and put baby in the Next To Me crib (with a dummy?) for at least one if the naps.