Question for co-sleepers (please help!)

[zonedout]

Ds2 is just over 6 months (but born prematurely at 35 weeks so has an adjusted age of 5 months) and we have co-slept pretty much since birth, for various reasons. He has recently started rolling from back to tummy and now rolls onto his tummy to sleep (have tried turning him back but he rolls straight back onto his front again) but he is unable to roll from front to back again.

I am feeling completely paranoid about this as from what i have read, even pro co-sleeping articles seem to advise against co-sleeping with a tummy sleeper (due to a much increased risk of sids because of soft mattress etc)

Please please can you share your experiences with co-sleeping once they start rolling as I really don't know how to make things safe again...

TIA

zonedout Do the pro-cosleeping articles advise agaist sleeping with a LO YOU have put on to their tummy, or one that has rolled themselves?

I think this is the difference, - but I'm not an expert.

Personally I would be inclined to think that if their head and neck are strong enough to roll then they are strong enough to get themselves out of trouble long enough to scream or make their difficulties known to you.

Some people put their babies to sleep on their tummies (pre-rolling) because of things like reflux or snoring or just because their babies refuse to settle any other way. I think it is these babies that are at risk when co-sleeping.

Again, I am not an expert but it could be worth looking into whether this is the difference. I can't imagine for a minute that your situation is unique and people co-sleep for months and months.

hth

I'm not an expert but how about trying to wedge baby in with pillows so he doesn't roll over?

Don't wedge with pillows! It's important that baby can move himself if necessary. I think my gut instinct would say it was fine, so long as he can roll back if necessary, but if you're worried, then just turn him over every time you notice he's done it.

zonedout, my 7mo often rolls to sleep on her front and we co-sleep - i thought the advice was just not to put them down on their front? mine can roll back sometimes but doesn't seem to want to.

not sure if this helps but you're not the only one!

See told you no expert

Good luck.

Wow, thanks everyone! I wasn't expecting such quick responses - much appreciated!

starlight i think the advice is relating (at least in part) to the fact that adult mattresses tend to be a lot less firm than cot mattresses. Also perhaps a greater risk of overheating when on tummy combined with body heat of mum/parents. But there is just so much conflicting advice out there, i seem to be driving myself a little crazy as am uber paranoid!

Any chance you could buy a nice new firm mattress? I got one recently and was amazed at the difference, hadn't realised how saggy the old one was till I did.

I actually became more confident about sleeping with DS when he started rolling over as I felt he was more mobile and more able to get himself out of trouble than before. In no time at all you will find he can roll both ways.

And shortly after that will be the kicking, pinching, flailing, head butting .....

Or is that just my DS

Can anyone help with advice on how to get a 1 yr old go to sleep without having to hold him all the time! my grandson is wearing meand his parents out. he has always been a difficult one to"put down" in his cot and even when you v rocked him to sleep..the minute he goes into his cot..he wakes screaming!! For sometime now the only method is to take him into your bed..but daddy has to sleep on sofa as baby will only have his mummy in bed. we have tried letting him cry but the screams are unbearable..and shows no signs of giving up...please HELP!

Hi Dainty

I don't understand why the baby won't have his Daddy in bed with him? How does he know when he's asleep?

It's very normal for babies not to want to sleep alone - in fact it's a survival instinct. IME it's easiest just to go with the flow. Let him fall asleep at the breast or in arms or in the car or in the buggy or in a sling on Daddy's front while he washes up then just settle down for the evening cuddling him while he sleeps and take him to bed when you go to bed.

At some point his parents will suddenly realise that their able to put him down when he falls asleep, especially if it's in the room they're in (ie. in a baby chair in the sitting room during the evening) so he can hear the quiet babble that he's used to, and then later on in his or their room.

Don't wish his life away - enjoy the cuddles while you can

my lo rolled over and slept on his front from this age.
if he can lift his head and move it then he should be fine as if he couldn't breathe he would just move his head

zonedout - how big is your bed? could you put a moses basket mattress/travel cot mattress in the bed next to you? this way ds can co-sleep and you can rest assured that he is not going to overheat.