Stopping co-sleeping

[SuzyQ88]

Hey ladies,

So my 5 month old basically co-sleeps with me all night and the next to me crib has become an ornament in the bedroom!

This has happened naturally because her brother (3) is a sensitive sleeper and I don't want her crying to wake him up so bundle her in, plus she's breastfed so still awake every 2-3 hours for a feed and we end up lying down feeding and falling asleep (we are safe with it).

However, I'm at a point where I know I need to get her into her own bed as the time will soon come where she can go in her own room (and out grow the next to me!). Plus I need to get her to start going longer stretches at night without waking so often for a feed! We are definitely in a habit of when she wakes I immediately feed to get her to go back to sleep, which she does! It's been working as it's how we all get the most sleep but I think we need to change, I'm just afraid of the process!

Anyone got any tips for how to do this!?

Her naps are also an issue as she will only sleep for a max of 45 mins (sometimes 30) especially if put down somewhere, so she's not linking her sleep cycles well and I don't know how to fix that!

She is also currently refusing a bottle! We are nearly at weaning age so hoping that might help her feel fuller for longer!

Any positive tips and advice welcome! 🥰

I have no advice other than the question is stopping definitely what you want? Because I think we can feel pressured to make changes because we feel we should. But it's all so biologically normal and if it's working for you then why change it?

(I also have an EBF 5mo DD who cosleeps, and a decorative next to me 😂 plus an older child who sleeps lightly. But feeding back to sleep and cosleeping maximise sleep for us so I'm leaning in to it) Obviously if you're hating it then fair enough to getting your DD into a cot and hopefully someone with some actual advice will come along 😂

You are so right, there is a part of me that loves it, but I go back to work in three months, and I'm so aware that these things take time to take hold. I've got to get some better sleep I think when working so attempting to put the practices in place before I go back. Maybe you're right though, maybe I'm just overthinking it.!

I co sleep right now with DS 11m and co slept with DD3. She recently decided she wanted a big girl bed and I miss her in with me so much. Im hoping DS will do the same and decide for himself! When I went back to work its working even better because they actually SLEEP at night and I sneak out to get ready and come wake them up after Im done. It's totally upto you but my advice is see how it goes for abit and then make changes if you want!