co sleep confusion

[red balloon]

Co sleeping never worked for us when lo was tiny but her sleep has been getting worse and worse lately (up every 1.5 hours at least). We have co slept in desperation part of the last few nights and it has been much better. So I'm thinking about starting to co sleep full time.

I've seen conflicting advice about how to do it safely. At the minute we push the cot up against the bed so lo can't roll out. I'm thinking about getting a bed guard. I stuff the gap between cot and mattress with blankets. Some websites say don't use a bed guard. What should I do?

Lo has slept between me and the ccot, as dh isn't comfortable with having her next to him. I tuck the quilt around my legs and waist, so lo can't get under. Is that ok, or should I switch to blankets?? I get cold really easily.

Lo sucks happily on my left boob while sleeping, but What do I do when lo wants more milk from the right boob, cost I can't put her between me and dh?

Thanks so much!

 

[Rachel_C]

I don't think you need to worry too much generally, assuming that your LO is now rolling and fairly mobile. I would try and keep your pillow (just one) away from her, either by folding it in half so it's really just big enough for your head and way above her, or by pushing it towards your OH's side of the bed. With your quilt, I would either only have it up to your waist and wear warm clothes or put her on top of it, as long as it isn't mega thick (if it was too thick it could maybe be a suffocation risk if she got stuck on her front but if she's a good roller and the quilt is normal thickness it should be fine). You could put her in a sleeping bag to keep her warm enough.

I've never seen not to use bed rails - what's the risk? I can't think of anything, as some of them are just like cot sides (bars) or travel cots (mesh).

Regarding feeding, it depends on your boobs but can you lean forwards towards her slightly, then hold your nipple at the right angle for her latch on then let go? I can manage that and it works well. I usually bend up my knee of the leg that's on top and lean it onto the bed below LO to stop me rolling too far forward.

 

[red balloon]

Thanks so much for all your advice. Lo isn't crawling yet. She rolled at 6 months then hasn't bothered since then. So she stays basically still in bed. Does that change anything? X

 

[StarlitHome]

We co-sleep with our daughter but DH is fine with her being between us for some of the night.
I have one blanket that I use but keep away from baby, DH has his own blanket (but we're in Hawaii and it's pretty warm so...).

 

[heyyady]

We co-sleep in the wee hours of the morning to get the twins to settle back in- I got a tube style body pillow and put it up net to hubby so he knows not to roll, and keep them between us- I put them high on the bed and we sleep low, so they are way up between our pillows (we don't use conventional pillows, they are buckwheat and are HARD when someone's head is on them) and they sleep in sleep sacks any way- the nursing thing gets a little outrageous since there is two of them, but really I just tuck and roll to the other side then put them back when they're done

 

[shortie1990]

My LO always slept in the middle of my and OH, I know it's not recommended but it never even occurred to me to but him on the other side of me.. Our bed isn't against a wall so it just never crossed my mind to get a bed rail and put him just next to me,

As for the breast feeding, I could feel him with both boobs with him being on my right side, I'd just have to lie more on my front so he could reach the left boob and assist him with it, he was a few months old when I mastered this though

 

[Rachel_C]

Thanks so much for all your advice. Lo isn't crawling yet. She rolled at 6 months then hasn't bothered since then. So she stays basically still in bed. Does that change anything? X

I wouldn't think so. With a tiny newborn you would maybe worry about squishing them but an older baby would certainly let you know if you got too much in their space!

 

[moomin_troll]

i hold corey in my arms when we sleep and i sit up when he wants a feed. i have my quilt on my legs and his blanket over him and the top half of my body to keep me warm