Falling asleep breastfeeding at night

[Gobletoffire]

We have a crib attached to the bed and when my 6 week old DS wakes I shimmy him across to my bed and feed him lying on my side with him lying next to me. He wakes twice for a feed, the first time I stay awake but for the second feed I always end up dozing off so for the second part of the night we unintentionally co sleep. I make sure my arm is above him and he’s away from the pillows and duvet is no higher than my waist, if he were to roll then it would only be into his next to me crib, but I’m worried that I keep doing this! Does anybody else fall asleep while feeding their LO? I’m thinking of sitting up and feeding him instead but if I fell asleep it’d be more dangerous in that position.

I started cosleeping because of this, I agree its safer than falling asleep accidentally in bed.

I used to have to force myself to get out of bed to avoid this.

It’s totally normal to fall asleep while breastfeeding your body actually produces a hormone that helps you and baby sleep! It’s probably safer to just plan to co sleep rather than accidentally do it!

That was exactly why we ended up cosleeping. It's much safer for all involved if you do it correctly and you are. I still do it with my 6month DS. It means more sleep for me!

Sounds like you are naturally adopting the “cuddle curl”. Just make sure you are preparing to co-sleep rather than letting it happen accidentally.

Breast fed babies, in planned co-sleeping situations, with the mother alone, where smoking and alcohol aren’t part of the picture, are pretty low risk.

Read a little about it and satisfy yourself as to how you are set up: kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/cosleeping/

Well it sounds like you're doing it correctly, tbh. It's certainly what I used to do. Just make sure you are doing it the right way.

With my second child I actually strapped a full size (or almost full size) cot to the side of the bed instead. It meant I could feed them whilst lying predominantly in their own cot.

I was less likely to go to sleep (it wasn't as comfy) and if I did, then they were still in their own cot. More peace of mind. It also trained them to be used to sleeping in the cot rather than in the bed with me.

I sit up and read on my kindle or play a game on my phone. I found that keeps me awake much better than when I was feeding lying down.

Please get out of bed and sit in a chair for the second feed.. Please. Everyone will tell you its safe, but, it happens, dont be that one

Co-sleeping worked very well for me. I wouldn't have survived bf twins without it! It actually sounds like you are following the guidelines too - even if you didn't intend to do it. Have a look at them here www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/sleep-bedshare/.