8 month sleep regression - is this an acceptable solution?

[Poppyandseed]

Poor DD has gone from being a fantastic sleeper to incredibly unsettled overnight. She will now only be settled in bed with us and wakes almost immediately when put in the cot. I’m not keen to sleep train as she’s teething and has had continuous colds (plus I assume some separation anxiety) but we do need to do something. At the moment we don’t cosleep as the bed in her room (which one of us sleeps in) is a single and it doesn’t feel safe. We were planning to move her back into our room so she can sleep with me in the double. However, we’ve noticed that she sleeps brilliantly in the single even when we are not in it. We are wondering about just removing the bedding, putting up the rail and leaving her to it. Obviously it’s not as safe sleep as a cot but surely it’s better than one of us being in a bed with her? I’ve not heard of anyone doing this so wondering if I’ve missed something and it’s a terrible idea..

It's difficult to judge without seeing the bed. However, you are really the best people to judge whether or not it is safe. For instance, is she rolling/crawling so that she could fall off the side? Are there pillows that she could dislodge so that they smother her? Any dangling things like curtain pulls that she could get at? I'm guessing not, as you already sleep there with her, and it sounds like you are quite safety conscious. But if you're satisfied that there is no way she could hurt herself, then yes it's fine. I would just keep a monitor in the room so that you can hear if she cries.

I wonder if there is an in between solution. What is she currently in, cot or Moses basket? I wonder if what you need is a better quality deeper mattress. I would be very nervous leaving an 8 month old on their own in a single bed, too many ways to fall/get trapped.

Thanks both. It’s a single bed with two sides against the wall, the third would be the rail and I can’t see a way for her to get to the foot of the bed. We’d remove all bedding so it was just a sheet and there’s definitely nothing else hanging down by it. I guess I do feel uneasy though which is why I posted … you’re right @WalkingWombat, I worry maybe she’d somehow slip into the side by the wall even though she’s spent many an evening sleeping in the bed no bother.

She’s recently moved into a cot after outgrowing the snuzpod and that’s definitely contributed. The cot is big and cold and hard … I’ve tried pre warming it with a hot water bottle and adding an extra fluffy sheet but neither helped.

I suspect the sleep issues are far more to do with teeth, crawling, colds and separation anxiety, but then I can’t understand why she settles instantly and consistently in a bed even when we’re not with her..!

maybe just put the mattress on the floor?

This is a good idea actually, you might not be able to work out how she would get to the bottom of the bed now but in a flash she will be very mobile. Just make sure the room is childproofed and put a stair gate on the door.

Bed rails aren’t safe for under 18months, they are an entrapment risk. Also beds shouldn’t be against the wall in this age group for the same reason. A better solution would be to babyproof the room and pop the mattress on the floor (still away from the wall). Some of the cosleeping groups on Facebook have lots of info on this

Was going to suggest a floor bed provided it’s suitable with your house (no risk of damp/cold etc. on the floor). As long as the room is baby safe this is a common solution.

Thank you all. We were worried we were missing something, hence the post. Will definitely re evaluate. A floor bed might be the solution but feels a big step as it would only fit if we removed the cot. Also hard to have such faith in our baby proofing…! But will definitely think about it.

Lots of babies hate their cots but love a floor beds. There is loads of info out there about safe floor beds. If she is moving, you will need to baby proof the room completely - furniture fixed to wall, plug sockets filled, any wires out of the way. Also you either need to rise slightly (put bed slates under mattress) or air well (lift bed up for a few hours when changing sheets) so that no damp gets in. Also make sure mattress is firm. Cosleepy and happy (Instagram) have information on how to do this all as safely as possible.
But in answer to your question - yes it’s an acceptable solution as long as all safety concerns have been addressed. I hope you get some good sleep!