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Is occasionally Co-sleeping creating a bad habit?

9 replies

Chaoscontrol · 02/10/2024 08:21

My daughter sleeps in her own room, she's 6 months and has always been a good sleeper. The 4 month sleep regression kinda changed that. She wakes for one feed and a nappy change and sometimes just a dummy in the mouth. But other than that, she goes down around 9/10 and wake for feed at 2ish and a dummy in mouth or butt pat at 4/5am.

Co-sleeping.. I've started bringing her into our bed at about 4/5am when she stirs for a cuddle, because I want to mainly and that she sleeps soundly until 730 most mornings, plus it's one of the highlights of my day. I refuse to cosleep every night, all night.. But occasionally isn't bad or for a couple hours a night right?

Now, last time I posted on here about sleep I cried for about 3 days as people were so harsh with their opinions and told me how terrible I was. Before it's mentioned, yes I am following safe sleep guidelines and understand risks etc.

All I'm asking here is for some advice, my assumption is when she stops waking I won't need to bring her into our bed? She sleeps soundly on her own for a long stretch every night and every morning nap in her own room and own cot.

Am I creating a bad habit or just enjoying this stage and the cuddles that come with it? If she's older and comes in for a cuddle every morning still off her own accord, I'm also not mad at that either.

Thank you 💕

OP posts:
AllAboutNiamh · 02/10/2024 08:27

Nothing wrong with safe co-sleeping. I did it with both of mine. They started the night in their cots and came in with us at some point afterwards, usually after several hours on their own. I used to breastfeed lying down and sleep through it. It was lovely 😊

Newname7 · 02/10/2024 08:31

I did/still do the same as you with my DD who is now 10months. Starts night on her own then take her into spare bed anytime she wakes up after 3. It has been stretching out so most mornings that is now more like 5-6am so she is basically doing the whole night on her own, with a little cozy bonus cuddle at the end. I love it too, especially since I started back at work a few weeks ago. Enjoy it!

Brightandbreezey · 02/10/2024 09:28

Sorry people were harsh with you last time you posted!
Co sleeping isn’t a “bad habit” - you said you enjoy it, your little one gets some more rest and you’re following the safe guidelines.
Personally I think co sleeping is beautiful, natural and perfectly healthy. Most adults sleep with someone next to them, I don’t understand why we think children should sleep independently!
Carry on doing what you’re doing if it works for you and your family!

Cali8 · 02/10/2024 09:34

I do this! My 6mo does most of the night herself, but if we have regular wake ups or any from 5am, she’s in with me. I also contact nap with her a lot in the day in her nursery (we have a floor bed set up alongside her crib)

I was worrying a lot it was confusing for her and would lead to 100% cosleeping, but I enjoy it so much and we have got into a good groove and routine. She isn’t a particularly cuddly baby, apart from when she is sleepy, and I honestly think it’s really helping our bond. She plays with my hair and rests her hand on my cheek as she’s falling asleep- pure magic!

I say enjoy it whilst it’s working for you- if it stops working, change it up! I keep on telling myself that I need the memories of these snuggles to get through when she’s a teenager screaming she hates me 😂

Parker231 · 02/10/2024 09:36

Co sleeping wasn’t something we ever did or wanted to do but everyone has to do what works best for them

peacelil · 02/10/2024 10:06

We also did this and it was lovely, hard at times but overall lovely and if it feels right to you and you want to do it then don't listen to anyone telling you otherwise. No bad habits, you are supporting her to get as much sleep as she needs in a comforting way and that's wonderful.

Also, babies change so quickly that I've just always found the idea that you can create bad habits in this way absurd - my baby changed his own habits on a weekly basis!
And yes, over time they will sleep for longer and be able to settle themselves more and more. Like others have said, it's beautiful, enjoy it.

MrsSunshine2b · 02/10/2024 10:16

Cosleeping is what mammals are naturally evolved to do, not a bad habit. Enjoy the cuddles as long as you can and she'll get the hang of sleeping alone eventually. We bedshared with my 4yo until she was about 2 and she crawled in with us in the early hours every night for a long time after that! It's only very occasional now.

FYI, in case you didn't know, it's safer for babies to share a room with you for at least the first 6 months and preferably the first 12, it's believed that the sound of the adult breathing helps baby to regulate their own breathing.

Button28384738 · 02/10/2024 11:10

Don't worry about it at all. I did this with both of mine and they're now 13 and 9 and sleep in their own beds.
Co sleeping is very normal and you really can't "teach" a baby "bad habits".
Much better to have well rested parents and babies who have energy during the day!

BobbyDazzler11 · 03/10/2024 06:50

This is what we do too - I enjoy it and his sleep keeps getting better and better. Not waking at all some nights now so doesn't even get in bed.

I will miss it when he fully stops.

I never thought it would be something I did!

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