is it safe for me to sleep on the floor with 8wk DD?

[olivo]

I'd much rather not, i have to say. I have been co sleeping with DD in our king size bed while DH has been sleeping on a mattress on her floor. he is desperate (to the point of making himself and us very miserable) for a decent night's sleep and i was going to get him to sleep in our bed tonight and i will go with DD into her room. but if i sleep on the floor, can she safely sleep next to me on a playmat or something? normally she is swaddled or in a sleeping bag on top of my mattress.
any other advice gratefully received!

i like the idea of using it as a bargaining tool! he is claiming we cant afford the dr but we blatantly can! i'd pay anything for him to be happier and less tired!

Can't afford the doctor? Where are you?

we're in the channel islands.

good news - Dh has just phoned and has made an appt for the drs today to talk about not sleeping. i am really pleased as it has gone on for about 3 months now.

thank you all for your help.

I'm a bit confused about the fact that you can fit a mattress into your room but not the cotbed? I assume the mattress is a single, but even so the cotbed up against your bed shouldnt take up anymore room. I think this sounds like the safest solution.

Glad your DH is going to the drs.

I really don't think the baby should be on a mattress on the floor. She could jsut roll or wriggle straight off it.

I can see you've got problems with your dh, but I jsut don't think you can sleep on the floor with an 8 week old baby.

Fingers crossed that you can borrow the cot, I think that would be safer than a mattress on the floor.

If not could you invest in a better air bed? I can see you probably aren't in the UK, but a double height air bed would be pefect for you to sleep alongside your dd in her cot and not have to get up every time she needs to feed.

littlewhitewolf, the mattress is not in our room. just the KSbed in ours,and the cotbed and a small matress in DDs room.
the last airbed cost £40 and lasted 2 weeks .
i suspect maybe i need to bite the bullet and start getting DD used to her cotbed.

Try her with the cot bed or borrow the cot, you may be surprised at how well she takes to it, its worth a go for one night, can't be any worse than what you are going through. It will get better, neither of mine were good sleepers but you survive. I hope you get there.

thanks . i can't believe i'm so overwhelmed with it all, 2nd time round. i thought it'd be easier

Everyone sleeps on the floor with their babies where I live
Either the whole family on a big futon, or the baby on a small baby futon next to mum. I only used my cot for naps, changing nappies and to put DS out of the way when DD was a rampaging toddler.

Its difficult, don't make yourself feel bad about it as it is no one's fault, in a few months time it will be a totally different problem, just try and get some rest for yourself otherwise you are no use to anyone.

Oh dear you can't sleep on the floor with your baby so young. Definately don't put her down on an airbed.

Surely you can work an alternative with your DH?

I don't see the difference between sleeping in a bed together or sleeping on a matteress on the floor. I'm sure it would be fine. Hope you all get some sleep x

Ah, that makes sense now!

My DD is 3 months old and has been sleeping in her own room since about 9 weeks, first in the moses basket in the cot, now in the cot and she's doing fine. But then she's on formula now and sleeping through so I dont have the same feeding pattern as you and your DD have.
When she was still being BF'ed we occassionally co-slept. I would put her to sleep in her moses basket and on nights when she woke for a feed and either fell asleep in the bed with me or wouldnt settle back in the cot I kept her with me, with DH as well, but I can understand your reluctance to do that; its not always that easy for everyone.

I hope things sort themselves out for you.

Highly recommend getting your DH's some earplugs. Wax ones work better at blocking sound of babies crying says my DH.

That way he can share a bed with you and the baby and still sleep