Breastfeeding Support Group

sorry, meant to post this in the parenting newborn page... but any advice here is welcome as well!

This is why co-sleeping didn't work for us. I always felt that way. And I had a really hard time laying in one position all night! Sorry I'm not more help, just wanted to let you know you weren't alone.

I don't co-sleep but I looked into it a lot because at one time I thought we would (then it turned out my daughter sleeps better in her crib in her own room). As long as you are not drinking alcohol or doing drugs or impaired in any other way (i.e. taking sleeping pills or medication that knocks you out), it is perfectly safe to co-sleep with your baby. I think with time you will stop worrying so much about rolling on her and get used to it. Just watch the pillows and blankets, make sure she doesn't get covered by them. They do make little nest-like things that you can use for co-sleeping, they are little padded boxes that you can put the baby in -- she's still in the bed with you but a little protected. Or you could look into a co-sleeper beside your bed.

We did have a routine for a few months where my partner would get up for the 4-5am feeding and then put the baby in bed with us for the next 2-3 hours until it was time to get up. She usually ended up snuggled up next to me, and I would put her up so her head was above mine, so if I did roll over and not realize it at least it would be my head and neck and not my chest and belly on her. This also prevented her from being covered by blankets or pillows. After a few days of this I could go back to sleep like nothing and we had no issues at all.

As my son got older, I was more and more comfortable. I know that's not a helpful answer, but that was reality for me.

My Dh sleeps on the couch!LOL and at 5 months old he still does....we have another bed but he prefers the couch. We never have sex in our bed anyway, so this isn't a problem. When LO was small she slept on top of me alot! She had colic and loved to be held. I put pilllows under both arms so when I fell asleep she wouldn't fall. Yes I'm crazy!! Crazy in love w/her and will do whatever it takes to keep her happy and comfy!! GL

I had never planned on co-sleeping with my children but it just kinda happened. I too would be so tired I'd end up falling asleep in bed with my son. Pretty soon it just became normal. ALthough at first I was very scared that something would happen to him. But I learned that if I rolled over for every feeding (so that he wasn't feeding from the same side all night) I was more comfortable. He slept better, so I got more sleep. And the more I've co-slept (I'm now co-sleeping with my 4th child) the more comfortable I've become with it. And I do use a pillow on the edge of the bed, just so I remember when I'm so sleepy EXACTLY where is is. Good LUCK!

I've just started bringing my 5 month old into our bed. He sleeps OK in the cot but sometimes wakes for a hug (not hungry or wind). If I bring him into our bed, when he stirs he just activates 'auto-hug' and we both go back to sleep :)
I do the same as alh071 - bringing him in after a night feed and putting him high up so he's mostly above the duvet and his head's above mine. But I do find it tricky to get comfortable and still worry a bit about him. I wouldn't have felt comfortable when he was smaller...

We coslept from 4 months on. My son's now 8 months. As everyone said it gets easier as you go. I place my son below my armpit at he level of my breast. I keep that lower arm extended and lower leg towards him. That pretty much ensures I can't turn over easily. My other arm is on my side, more toward back. Sometimes I turn and sleep on my back from that position. If I cramp during night I move to the other side of the baby, A very safe position is also if you place baby's head on your extended arm, close to shoulder. Great for bringing him to boob in the middle of sleeping but my son tends to sweat if he sleeps like that.

I used to worry a lot and I don't anymore. But I do wake up a bit stiff and there were many nights I wished I could just stretch and lie as I would like. I never turned over him though, never even tried. I did have a few times when I would move my arm in sleep and brush him but not very much, not even enough to wake him up. You know subconsciously that the baby's there.

Anybody interested can send me a pm with their e-mail, and i will be happy to get you out the bf and safe co-sleeping brochure from UNICEF, in electronic format.

I only turned to co-sleeping after 4 mths of hell with my first. I was too pooped to even get up any more, and realised that he usually fell asleep, but by transferring him to his crib (in my room) he would often awake again, adding more work for me. A few times I "accidentally" fell asleep right next to him, and then all of a sudden, i realised, why am I putting myself thru this?

I consulted our LC, who siad it was safe, and I never looked back. With him, we co-slept until about 9 mths of age. At that point, he started to move around a lot, and I would get a fist in my face every too often, so he went back to his crib,in our room, where he remained until almost 2, when #2 was born.

For the longest time, I did not scamper over him, but rather, moved him over me to bf from each side. always placed him back between dh and me though, to make sure he would not fall off the bed.

Fortunately, at some point a friend told me that I did not have to move him side to side. I could actually bf from both breasts while lying down on just one side! What a revelation! So, typically, if you are bf lying down on your right side, and you have done the right breast, just lean a bit more forward, curl your right leg under you a bit for support, and tilt your left breast to the waiting baby's mouth. Works like a charm! Reverse if you are lying down and bf from the left side, obviously. This helped me a hell of a lot, esp. as he was growing and getting bigger to lift over my body.

With the others, it was a no-brainer. The crib stood empty in the room, and the baby was with us n bed all the time, except very rarely.

The first few weeks are always the most critical, as baby is the smallest, weakest, and less likely to protest if he should be squeezed, and definitely not able to move. So I was extra careful, and would either sleep on my back, or on the side where I had bf him. By about 4 wks, though, I was comfortable enough to even turn my back to him. The same way you know where the edge of the bed is, you learn where your little darling lays!

I also think that Kaja has some great tips for further "immobilizing" where exactly the little one lays. I also used to keep my arm str4etched out at level with my shoulder, baby just below, and a leg stretched out below baby, sort of as a barrier.

I would not recommend getting any of those co-sleepers. They may work to alleviate your fears, but after a couple of nights, you will probably get bored of using it, and not use it anymore..money wasted.

I never had as fitful a night's rest as when I was co-sleeping. It was the best feeling in the world to feel my little baby next to me, all warm and curled up, and smell his sweet breath.

The feeding part I am fine with... I have laid down feeding from both breasts without a problem... my real issue is it's very difficult for me to sleep without getting sore from feeling "frozen" in one spot. I just can't seem to relax enough to stay asleep when she's in my bed. I drift off while she's nursing but wake up sore every time.