To co-sleep or get no sleep?

[ChorserSaucer]

My 10month old hasn’t been sleeping well for 8 weeks. She previously slept through the night very well from 3 months to 8months old.

she goes to bed 6:30/7pm & sleeps fairly well until midnight. Occasionally before midnight she’ll need a quick resettle or two but now, she is waking at least every hour from midnight to 6am. Last night it was every 20/40minutes. She’s happy and healthy otherwise and still very happy during the day. We’ve tried milk to see if she’s hungry but she’s still waking. My mum intuition is saying it’s attachment and that she’ll sleep better if we were next to her but I’m in two minds whether to start co-sleeping.

on one hand, all of us may actually get some sleep and I think it’s human nature for a baby to want to be next to their caregivers as much as possible.

however, I don’t want to start co sleeping and then “regret” doing it later down the line if it becomes her crutch to sleep.

i know there’s meant to be the 10month sleep regression but this has been going on for two months now (granted it has gotten worse now she’s 10 months)
we are so sleep deprived and desperate for any advice. Is it worth speaking to a professional? Who?? Thanks in advance x

Honestly Co-sleeping is perfectly natural!!! Poor babies these days are pulled from the womb and expected to just sleep alone in the cold, dark and quiet away from all they have ever known.

I safely co-slept with both of mine from both (with the support of my midwife and health visitor who were fantastic).

Your baby needs you, you need sleep. She will not be Co-sleeping with you at 13.

It could be a habit why lo is waking as needs you to go back to sleep.

Nothing wrong with co sleeping if your happy with that. Personally I only felt happy to do that then transfer after a year old, just the risks felt too high to me. Its just my personal preference doesn't mean its right or wrong. Just what suits me. Plus she likes to snuggle into my neck on her belly, she sweats, I sweat then wake up amd its worse for us. I usually do it when she's not very well.

The way you posed your question (co-sleep or no sleep) suggests that you already know the answer. Sleep deprivation can drive people crazy. She is still a baby so just because you let her co-sleep now doesn't mean it will be a permanent arrangement. Let her sleep with you and if that doesn't help,
then seek professional help. But you need sleep! And she probably just needs the comfort and warmth from your presence. Most baby mammals do 🦭 She will have plenty of time to sleep in her own bed later, trust me. Best of luck! 💖

Get her in your bed op and get some sleep.

I co slept with my oldest on and off. Then she turned 3 and told me she was a 'big girl' and has slept in her own room ever since. She's now 13 and I miss her being small and in my bed!

My youngest is one and sleeps in our bed on and off. Similar to yours she goes to sleep ok in her own bed but comes alive at midnight for an hour! She soon settles when put in with us.

Co-sleeping saved me! It's the only way we got sleep. Everyone was happy. And then when he was ready, we transferred him to his own bed in his own room, at 14 months - I know others wait longer but it was the right time for us. You won't be creating a crutch.

Unfortunately there's a lot of old information and incorrect information out there which can feel really scary. I know I was worried but educating yourself on a few things helps make sure you're doing it safely. Just make sure you follow the 'safe sleep seven' (Google it) and I'd recommend joining a really great Facebook group full of support and information called 'UK Cosleepers' (if you're in the UK).

Good luck with it and hope you get some sleep soon.

I moved to bed sharing when I my DD started nursery at 11 months. She was fine in her own room until then! It meant I got sleep, DH unfortunately ended up in the spare room as he couldn't sleep with her in the bed- that wasn't great. 6m later we are just trying to get her back in her own room. It's difficult, but if I hadn't bedshared I never would have slept and going back to work would have been horrific.
Do what you have to do I say. I had MIL going ooh that's a bad idea, but she wasn't the one up 10 times a night with a melted brain everyday!

Thank you all for your responses. It’s very reassuring. I’m going to sleep on the floor in her room tonight as a halfway between cosleeping and what we currently do. I tried it out during her afternoon nap today and i know she appreciated a hand hold when she stirred.