Opinons Please: Co sleeping/Bed sharing ( Sorry, A longer read)

Leanne - posted on 01/31/2010

We only co-slept with our son until he was around four months old..

Our place is very cold, because it is a basement, so it helped keep our little one warm at night. Also, made breastfeeding easier and helped him sleep better.

He didn't sleep with us every night, and slowly stopped all together and he slept in his cradle until he could lift up on his arms then he went into his own crib.

I slept with my hand on my son's chest or near him so I could feel him breathing and to make sure my partner didn't roll on him. We never had any close incidents or anything. I would probably do it with another child.. but again, not for a long time.. a parents bed should be for the parents!

Pamalla - posted on 01/31/2010

Iysha: Thank you. Your right just cuz infants have survived it doesn't make it safe but the same goes for cribs and bassinets. They may seem safer but as with bed sharing there only safe if you make it safe with common sense. I dont know if bed sharing is safer or not but it is what works for us, and your system works for you. Thank you so much for you post. :)

Iysha - posted on 01/31/2010

I will never co-sleep. I think the designated spots on the bed with the rails and such are fine...not so sure about the bed rails though ( mommy or daddy could squish baby against rail). I do not feel comfortable with my baby being in my arms while I sleep or even next to me while I sleep. I am a light sleeper and I still don't like it. My fiance had me try one time because his mother slept with her children and he thought that was the best way. That didn't fly with me. lol. I spent an hour in bed with my Fiance and Daughter and put her back in her crib.

I like the crib in the room because I can hear her. That worked best while she was super young and didn't sleep through the night. Now, at 7 months, she has her own room and we didn't have any issues with her adjusting.....even in a whole different house. I would have hated to have been co-sleeping for this long then try to move her to her own bed and own room.

I think crib sleeping is easier and more safe. The way I think of co-sleeping is that just because infants have survived it, doesn't make it safe.

Janice - posted on 01/31/2010

My daughter is 3 mo. old. When I brought my her home I never thought I would share my bed with her. However, when colic set in around 4 weeks I began regurly falling asleep with her in my arm on the couch or in my bed. For the next 3-4 weeks I costantly worried about SIDS. I work in daycare and had Sids training every year for 5 years! The colic continued for 6 weeks and slowly my daughter became so used to sleeping with me now she won't have it any other way. Also I realized how easy night feedings are when all you have to do is lift your shirt. Although I still worry a little but overall I don't and this is why:

1. My daughter sleeps on her back or side.

2. I do not drink or do drugs.

3. Im not obese

4. Im a much, much lighter sleeper with my daughter next to me.

In many cultures bed sharing is the norm and their SIDS rates are not higher than in places where bed sharing is less common.

On a personal level Im mixed about the co-sleeping. I get back aches from sleeping in the same position all night in order to keep her safe. Also intamcy with my hubby is trickier (thankfully she naps in her swing ;) lol) However, I love the ease of overnight feeding and the closeness with my daughter. When she is about 6months old I do plan on trying to get her into her own bed (which I know will be hard work)but for now, co-sleeping is the best option for my family.

Kate - posted on 01/31/2010

Sounds like you got it right. Enjoy!!! And stop worrying. the bed is plenty big.

Kaleisha Leigh - posted on 01/31/2010

my son is just over 5 weeks and since he was a week old he has slept with me, he wont sleep in his cot and i mean wont, he screams all nite untill his in my bed with me, he also sleeps longer wen in my bed so yeah if its safe then im all for co sleeping

Jennifer - posted on 01/31/2010

I don't bed share. I think it's too dangerous and whilst lots of babies will be fine, lots die as a result. I think a parents' bed is for the parents. I love my son but I still want the intimacy of just sharing my bed with my husband and I think a habit like bed sharing is hard to break - more so by the parents not the child.