co-sleeping issues

Keepercjr · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie

Sorry things feel rough right now. Amelia is still really young and needs your touch at night to soothe her. It makes sense - human infants weren't really designed to sleep by themselves. There are things you can do to help it but our biology really works against that.

What size bed do you have? We have a king and when Logan was a tiny baby I just rolled him over me to nurse on the other side. He was never near DH and since he slept tummy to tummy with me I would have noticed if DH were to get too close (since he would have to be on top of me too).

How about some sort of bolster pillow between you and DH so you can change positions w/ Amelia and not worry about him? A small cylindrical pillow would work. I also did like wanderlost - Logan never wore more than a onsie except for the first few weeks when I was learning what worked best for us. I too once found him under the covers (also swaddled in a blanket) sweating. That was my wakeup call that he doesn't have to be bundled all the time. As he grew older, especially during the summer, I wouldn't put any clothes on him at night since he still slept against me and my body heat was enough for him. Now I try to dress him in a shirt because he likes to kick the covers off (and it is COLD at night) but he's used to sleeping w/o clothes.

Can you and your DH use different blankets (a his and hers situation)? Then if she's in her sleep sack on top of the covers there really is no way for her to end up under a blanket.

I also would not introduce rice cereal - she's WAY too young. There are all kinds of risks being found w/ too early introduction of solids. Sure older generations started at 2 weeks old but just because they did it doesn't mean its good or healthy. And I believe research has shown that it doesn't work - she'll sleep longer stretches when she's ready. My mom said I slept through the night at 6 weeks old - Logan didn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time till he was at least 2. I believe its just temperament and age more than anything.

My advice - just give it time while trying to find some solutions. If you move her away and are forced to wake up ever few hours to nurse her I'd think you'll get less sleep than you are now - because your sleep cycles won't be in sync anymore so you will most likely be woken up out of a deep sleep and then find it harder to get back to sleep after settling her.

Anyway, that was all just my opinion so take it for what its worth - just an opinion. For me, once I did my research on cosleeping (look up the stuff done by James McKenna) there was no other way.

Good luck figuring things out.

Keepercjr · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie

Sorry things feel rough right now. Amelia is still really young and needs your touch at night to soothe her. It makes sense - human infants weren't really designed to sleep by themselves. There are things you can do to help it but our biology really works against that.

What size bed do you have? We have a king and when Logan was a tiny baby I just rolled him over me to nurse on the other side. He was never near DH and since he slept tummy to tummy with me I would have noticed if DH were to get too close (since he would have to be on top of me too).

How about some sort of bolster pillow between you and DH so you can change positions w/ Amelia and not worry about him? A small cylindrical pillow would work. I also did like wanderlost - Logan never wore more than a onsie except for the first few weeks when I was learning what worked best for us. I too once found him under the covers (also swaddled in a blanket) sweating. That was my wakeup call that he doesn't have to be bundled all the time. As he grew older, especially during the summer, I wouldn't put any clothes on him at night since he still slept against me and my body heat was enough for him. Now I try to dress him in a shirt because he likes to kick the covers off (and it is COLD at night) but he's used to sleeping w/o clothes.

Can you and your DH use different blankets (a his and hers situation)? Then if she's in her sleep sack on top of the covers there really is no way for her to end up under a blanket.

I also would not introduce rice cereal - she's WAY too young. There are all kinds of risks being found w/ too early introduction of solids. Sure older generations started at 2 weeks old but just because they did it doesn't mean its good or healthy. And I believe research has shown that it doesn't work - she'll sleep longer stretches when she's ready. My mom said I slept through the night at 6 weeks old - Logan didn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time till he was at least 2. I believe its just temperament and age more than anything.

My advice - just give it time while trying to find some solutions. If you move her away and are forced to wake up ever few hours to nurse her I'd think you'll get less sleep than you are now - because your sleep cycles won't be in sync anymore so you will most likely be woken up out of a deep sleep and then find it harder to get back to sleep after settling her.

Anyway, that was all just my opinion so take it for what its worth - just an opinion. For me, once I did my research on cosleeping (look up the stuff done by James McKenna) there was no other way.

Good luck figuring things out.

Keepercjr · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie

Sorry things feel rough right now. Amelia is still really young and needs your touch at night to soothe her. It makes sense - human infants weren't really designed to sleep by themselves. There are things you can do to help it but our biology really works against that.

What size bed do you have? We have a king and when Logan was a tiny baby I just rolled him over me to nurse on the other side. He was never near DH and since he slept tummy to tummy with me I would have noticed if DH were to get too close (since he would have to be on top of me too).

How about some sort of bolster pillow between you and DH so you can change positions w/ Amelia and not worry about him? A small cylindrical pillow would work. I also did like wanderlost - Logan never wore more than a onsie except for the first few weeks when I was learning what worked best for us. I too once found him under the covers (also swaddled in a blanket) sweating. That was my wakeup call that he doesn't have to be bundled all the time. As he grew older, especially during the summer, I wouldn't put any clothes on him at night since he still slept against me and my body heat was enough for him. Now I try to dress him in a shirt because he likes to kick the covers off (and it is COLD at night) but he's used to sleeping w/o clothes.

Can you and your DH use different blankets (a his and hers situation)? Then if she's in her sleep sack on top of the covers there really is no way for her to end up under a blanket.

I also would not introduce rice cereal - she's WAY too young. There are all kinds of risks being found w/ too early introduction of solids. Sure older generations started at 2 weeks old but just because they did it doesn't mean its good or healthy. And I believe research has shown that it doesn't work - she'll sleep longer stretches when she's ready. My mom said I slept through the night at 6 weeks old - Logan didn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time till he was at least 2. I believe its just temperament and age more than anything.

My advice - just give it time while trying to find some solutions. If you move her away and are forced to wake up ever few hours to nurse her I'd think you'll get less sleep than you are now - because your sleep cycles won't be in sync anymore so you will most likely be woken up out of a deep sleep and then find it harder to get back to sleep after settling her.

Anyway, that was all just my opinion so take it for what its worth - just an opinion. For me, once I did my research on cosleeping (look up the stuff done by James McKenna) there was no other way.

Good luck figuring things out.

Keepercjr · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie

Sorry things feel rough right now. Amelia is still really young and needs your touch at night to soothe her. It makes sense - human infants weren't really designed to sleep by themselves. There are things you can do to help it but our biology really works against that.

What size bed do you have? We have a king and when Logan was a tiny baby I just rolled him over me to nurse on the other side. He was never near DH and since he slept tummy to tummy with me I would have noticed if DH were to get too close (since he would have to be on top of me too).

How about some sort of bolster pillow between you and DH so you can change positions w/ Amelia and not worry about him? A small cylindrical pillow would work. I also did like wanderlost - Logan never wore more than a onsie except for the first few weeks when I was learning what worked best for us. I too once found him under the covers (also swaddled in a blanket) sweating. That was my wakeup call that he doesn't have to be bundled all the time. As he grew older, especially during the summer, I wouldn't put any clothes on him at night since he still slept against me and my body heat was enough for him. Now I try to dress him in a shirt because he likes to kick the covers off (and it is COLD at night) but he's used to sleeping w/o clothes.

Can you and your DH use different blankets (a his and hers situation)? Then if she's in her sleep sack on top of the covers there really is no way for her to end up under a blanket.

I also would not introduce rice cereal - she's WAY too young. There are all kinds of risks being found w/ too early introduction of solids. Sure older generations started at 2 weeks old but just because they did it doesn't mean its good or healthy. And I believe research has shown that it doesn't work - she'll sleep longer stretches when she's ready. My mom said I slept through the night at 6 weeks old - Logan didn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time till he was at least 2. I believe its just temperament and age more than anything.

My advice - just give it time while trying to find some solutions. If you move her away and are forced to wake up ever few hours to nurse her I'd think you'll get less sleep than you are now - because your sleep cycles won't be in sync anymore so you will most likely be woken up out of a deep sleep and then find it harder to get back to sleep after settling her.

Anyway, that was all just my opinion so take it for what its worth - just an opinion. For me, once I did my research on cosleeping (look up the stuff done by James McKenna) there was no other way.

Good luck figuring things out.

Keepercjr · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie

Sorry things feel rough right now. Amelia is still really young and needs your touch at night to soothe her. It makes sense - human infants weren't really designed to sleep by themselves. There are things you can do to help it but our biology really works against that.

What size bed do you have? We have a king and when Logan was a tiny baby I just rolled him over me to nurse on the other side. He was never near DH and since he slept tummy to tummy with me I would have noticed if DH were to get too close (since he would have to be on top of me too).

How about some sort of bolster pillow between you and DH so you can change positions w/ Amelia and not worry about him? A small cylindrical pillow would work. I also did like wanderlost - Logan never wore more than a onsie except for the first few weeks when I was learning what worked best for us. I too once found him under the covers (also swaddled in a blanket) sweating. That was my wakeup call that he doesn't have to be bundled all the time. As he grew older, especially during the summer, I wouldn't put any clothes on him at night since he still slept against me and my body heat was enough for him. Now I try to dress him in a shirt because he likes to kick the covers off (and it is COLD at night) but he's used to sleeping w/o clothes.

Can you and your DH use different blankets (a his and hers situation)? Then if she's in her sleep sack on top of the covers there really is no way for her to end up under a blanket.

I also would not introduce rice cereal - she's WAY too young. There are all kinds of risks being found w/ too early introduction of solids. Sure older generations started at 2 weeks old but just because they did it doesn't mean its good or healthy. And I believe research has shown that it doesn't work - she'll sleep longer stretches when she's ready. My mom said I slept through the night at 6 weeks old - Logan didn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time till he was at least 2. I believe its just temperament and age more than anything.

My advice - just give it time while trying to find some solutions. If you move her away and are forced to wake up ever few hours to nurse her I'd think you'll get less sleep than you are now - because your sleep cycles won't be in sync anymore so you will most likely be woken up out of a deep sleep and then find it harder to get back to sleep after settling her.

Anyway, that was all just my opinion so take it for what its worth - just an opinion. For me, once I did my research on cosleeping (look up the stuff done by James McKenna) there was no other way.

Good luck figuring things out.

hbollotte · Nov 30, 2007

caroline- does logan still sleep with you guys? as of right now morgan is sleeping with me. we sleep tummy to tummy when dustin is gone. when dustin is home she starts off the night sleeping in the pack-n-play by our bed, but after her middle of the night feeding she ends up back in bed with us because its just easier and she falls asleep faster.

my sister has a four and six year old and this past summer she finally weaned them from their bed. i really don't want to end up like her.

since we went to my family's house for thanksgiving i haven't unpacked my pack-n-play. i think when dustin gets home next week i think i will give it a shot at putting her in her crib in her room. she sleeps a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours at night which is great. i just feel more comfortable with her in my bed when dustin is gone. i guess i can continue to use the pack-n-play since she isn't actually in bed with us.

hbollotte · Nov 30, 2007

caroline- does logan still sleep with you guys? as of right now morgan is sleeping with me. we sleep tummy to tummy when dustin is gone. when dustin is home she starts off the night sleeping in the pack-n-play by our bed, but after her middle of the night feeding she ends up back in bed with us because its just easier and she falls asleep faster.

my sister has a four and six year old and this past summer she finally weaned them from their bed. i really don't want to end up like her.

since we went to my family's house for thanksgiving i haven't unpacked my pack-n-play. i think when dustin gets home next week i think i will give it a shot at putting her in her crib in her room. she sleeps a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours at night which is great. i just feel more comfortable with her in my bed when dustin is gone. i guess i can continue to use the pack-n-play since she isn't actually in bed with us.

hbollotte · Nov 30, 2007

caroline- does logan still sleep with you guys? as of right now morgan is sleeping with me. we sleep tummy to tummy when dustin is gone. when dustin is home she starts off the night sleeping in the pack-n-play by our bed, but after her middle of the night feeding she ends up back in bed with us because its just easier and she falls asleep faster.

my sister has a four and six year old and this past summer she finally weaned them from their bed. i really don't want to end up like her.

since we went to my family's house for thanksgiving i haven't unpacked my pack-n-play. i think when dustin gets home next week i think i will give it a shot at putting her in her crib in her room. she sleeps a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours at night which is great. i just feel more comfortable with her in my bed when dustin is gone. i guess i can continue to use the pack-n-play since she isn't actually in bed with us.

hbollotte · Nov 30, 2007

caroline- does logan still sleep with you guys? as of right now morgan is sleeping with me. we sleep tummy to tummy when dustin is gone. when dustin is home she starts off the night sleeping in the pack-n-play by our bed, but after her middle of the night feeding she ends up back in bed with us because its just easier and she falls asleep faster.

my sister has a four and six year old and this past summer she finally weaned them from their bed. i really don't want to end up like her.

since we went to my family's house for thanksgiving i haven't unpacked my pack-n-play. i think when dustin gets home next week i think i will give it a shot at putting her in her crib in her room. she sleeps a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours at night which is great. i just feel more comfortable with her in my bed when dustin is gone. i guess i can continue to use the pack-n-play since she isn't actually in bed with us.

hbollotte · Nov 30, 2007

caroline- does logan still sleep with you guys? as of right now morgan is sleeping with me. we sleep tummy to tummy when dustin is gone. when dustin is home she starts off the night sleeping in the pack-n-play by our bed, but after her middle of the night feeding she ends up back in bed with us because its just easier and she falls asleep faster.

my sister has a four and six year old and this past summer she finally weaned them from their bed. i really don't want to end up like her.

since we went to my family's house for thanksgiving i haven't unpacked my pack-n-play. i think when dustin gets home next week i think i will give it a shot at putting her in her crib in her room. she sleeps a good 5 - 5 1/2 hours at night which is great. i just feel more comfortable with her in my bed when dustin is gone. i guess i can continue to use the pack-n-play since she isn't actually in bed with us.

mom2lillian · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie-wish I could offer soe great advice I too have had periods where I felt like there was no hope of ever sleepign but it got better. While I dont have the degenerative problems like you I have issues with my neck and I woudl often have problems from not being able to move properly while sleeping. My dh was also afraid of rolling on her but then he got used to her and it was never a problem--more a fear than anything. If you look at the times where there are actual suffocation incidents it is involving drugs morbid obesity improper sleeping arrangements etc.

I too think you will get less sleep if you dont co-sleep though I am all for trying whatever you think will work for you. Hvae you tried letting her sleep in a swing for a bit? Some people will warn you against this but we did it on occasions where she was havin ga hard time sleeping and it was a savior, we kept our cradle swing in our bedroom.

Lillian is 11 months old and last night was the first time I can remember she has ever slept through night in her crib--ever!

I am a BIG swaddle fan, I used the miracle blanket and believe it is aptly named, LIllian was swaddled until 7 months old and slept WAY WAY better that way thoughs she would fuss and squirm while getting it done and protest but then drop off to sleep--she too could get velcro undone in a second. Miracle blankets are $40 which while expensive if they get you more sleep are well worth it IMO. Also, I think sleeping in a smaller area is better so they dont feel so lost, often when transitiong to crib etc they feel big open and lonely so I dont think the co-sleeper getttging to small is an issue.

I also think she is too young for rice cereal and studies have shown it does NOT help kids sleep lnoger, I broke down and tried it at 5 months and it had no effect.

(I think she is too young for this plan but this is what we are doing) One thing you might try is I started nursing her as much as she woudl take, nursing her to sleep, then putting her to sleep in her crib for first time at night, that way DH and I coudl get a bit of time, she was used to sleeping in her crib a bit so i twasnt as foreign to her (have been doing this for months), when she would wake up then dh woudl bring her to me and I would nurse her and she slept with us form there (previously).

Now that she is getting older (and VERY squirmy LOL) we just htis week tried having her sleep in her crib, once I am done feeding her in our bed for her 1am feeding I take her back to her crib and she lays right down and stays asleep or she might fuss for just a minute but I pat her to sleep, then she stays in there, if she wakes up again (which has only happened once this week--miraculous, whcih tells me she is ready for her crib) DH goes in and tries to pat her to sleep if she doenst want to sleep then we know she is hungry and I get up and feed her in rocker and put her back in her bed. It has worked really well for us but I just now felt her signs telling me she was ready.

Also, you might try gettin gher to take better naps during day and go with an earlier bed time. I was trying to keep Lillian up late with us thinking she woudlsleep when we were sleeping and we woudl get better sleep, although it is counterintuitive putting them to bed earlier often gets better sleep, many children today are sleep deprived, I pushed her bedtime back in 30 minute increments and now she is always ready for bedtime routine at 6:45 and in bed asleep by 7:30 and I can tell she needs it.

mom2lillian · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie-wish I could offer soe great advice I too have had periods where I felt like there was no hope of ever sleepign but it got better. While I dont have the degenerative problems like you I have issues with my neck and I woudl often have problems from not being able to move properly while sleeping. My dh was also afraid of rolling on her but then he got used to her and it was never a problem--more a fear than anything. If you look at the times where there are actual suffocation incidents it is involving drugs morbid obesity improper sleeping arrangements etc.

I too think you will get less sleep if you dont co-sleep though I am all for trying whatever you think will work for you. Hvae you tried letting her sleep in a swing for a bit? Some people will warn you against this but we did it on occasions where she was havin ga hard time sleeping and it was a savior, we kept our cradle swing in our bedroom.

Lillian is 11 months old and last night was the first time I can remember she has ever slept through night in her crib--ever!

I am a BIG swaddle fan, I used the miracle blanket and believe it is aptly named, LIllian was swaddled until 7 months old and slept WAY WAY better that way thoughs she would fuss and squirm while getting it done and protest but then drop off to sleep--she too could get velcro undone in a second. Miracle blankets are $40 which while expensive if they get you more sleep are well worth it IMO. Also, I think sleeping in a smaller area is better so they dont feel so lost, often when transitiong to crib etc they feel big open and lonely so I dont think the co-sleeper getttging to small is an issue.

I also think she is too young for rice cereal and studies have shown it does NOT help kids sleep lnoger, I broke down and tried it at 5 months and it had no effect.

(I think she is too young for this plan but this is what we are doing) One thing you might try is I started nursing her as much as she woudl take, nursing her to sleep, then putting her to sleep in her crib for first time at night, that way DH and I coudl get a bit of time, she was used to sleeping in her crib a bit so i twasnt as foreign to her (have been doing this for months), when she would wake up then dh woudl bring her to me and I would nurse her and she slept with us form there (previously).

Now that she is getting older (and VERY squirmy LOL) we just htis week tried having her sleep in her crib, once I am done feeding her in our bed for her 1am feeding I take her back to her crib and she lays right down and stays asleep or she might fuss for just a minute but I pat her to sleep, then she stays in there, if she wakes up again (which has only happened once this week--miraculous, whcih tells me she is ready for her crib) DH goes in and tries to pat her to sleep if she doenst want to sleep then we know she is hungry and I get up and feed her in rocker and put her back in her bed. It has worked really well for us but I just now felt her signs telling me she was ready.

Also, you might try gettin gher to take better naps during day and go with an earlier bed time. I was trying to keep Lillian up late with us thinking she woudlsleep when we were sleeping and we woudl get better sleep, although it is counterintuitive putting them to bed earlier often gets better sleep, many children today are sleep deprived, I pushed her bedtime back in 30 minute increments and now she is always ready for bedtime routine at 6:45 and in bed asleep by 7:30 and I can tell she needs it.

mom2lillian · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie-wish I could offer soe great advice I too have had periods where I felt like there was no hope of ever sleepign but it got better. While I dont have the degenerative problems like you I have issues with my neck and I woudl often have problems from not being able to move properly while sleeping. My dh was also afraid of rolling on her but then he got used to her and it was never a problem--more a fear than anything. If you look at the times where there are actual suffocation incidents it is involving drugs morbid obesity improper sleeping arrangements etc.

I too think you will get less sleep if you dont co-sleep though I am all for trying whatever you think will work for you. Hvae you tried letting her sleep in a swing for a bit? Some people will warn you against this but we did it on occasions where she was havin ga hard time sleeping and it was a savior, we kept our cradle swing in our bedroom.

Lillian is 11 months old and last night was the first time I can remember she has ever slept through night in her crib--ever!

I am a BIG swaddle fan, I used the miracle blanket and believe it is aptly named, LIllian was swaddled until 7 months old and slept WAY WAY better that way thoughs she would fuss and squirm while getting it done and protest but then drop off to sleep--she too could get velcro undone in a second. Miracle blankets are $40 which while expensive if they get you more sleep are well worth it IMO. Also, I think sleeping in a smaller area is better so they dont feel so lost, often when transitiong to crib etc they feel big open and lonely so I dont think the co-sleeper getttging to small is an issue.

I also think she is too young for rice cereal and studies have shown it does NOT help kids sleep lnoger, I broke down and tried it at 5 months and it had no effect.

(I think she is too young for this plan but this is what we are doing) One thing you might try is I started nursing her as much as she woudl take, nursing her to sleep, then putting her to sleep in her crib for first time at night, that way DH and I coudl get a bit of time, she was used to sleeping in her crib a bit so i twasnt as foreign to her (have been doing this for months), when she would wake up then dh woudl bring her to me and I would nurse her and she slept with us form there (previously).

Now that she is getting older (and VERY squirmy LOL) we just htis week tried having her sleep in her crib, once I am done feeding her in our bed for her 1am feeding I take her back to her crib and she lays right down and stays asleep or she might fuss for just a minute but I pat her to sleep, then she stays in there, if she wakes up again (which has only happened once this week--miraculous, whcih tells me she is ready for her crib) DH goes in and tries to pat her to sleep if she doenst want to sleep then we know she is hungry and I get up and feed her in rocker and put her back in her bed. It has worked really well for us but I just now felt her signs telling me she was ready.

Also, you might try gettin gher to take better naps during day and go with an earlier bed time. I was trying to keep Lillian up late with us thinking she woudlsleep when we were sleeping and we woudl get better sleep, although it is counterintuitive putting them to bed earlier often gets better sleep, many children today are sleep deprived, I pushed her bedtime back in 30 minute increments and now she is always ready for bedtime routine at 6:45 and in bed asleep by 7:30 and I can tell she needs it.

mom2lillian · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie-wish I could offer soe great advice I too have had periods where I felt like there was no hope of ever sleepign but it got better. While I dont have the degenerative problems like you I have issues with my neck and I woudl often have problems from not being able to move properly while sleeping. My dh was also afraid of rolling on her but then he got used to her and it was never a problem--more a fear than anything. If you look at the times where there are actual suffocation incidents it is involving drugs morbid obesity improper sleeping arrangements etc.

I too think you will get less sleep if you dont co-sleep though I am all for trying whatever you think will work for you. Hvae you tried letting her sleep in a swing for a bit? Some people will warn you against this but we did it on occasions where she was havin ga hard time sleeping and it was a savior, we kept our cradle swing in our bedroom.

Lillian is 11 months old and last night was the first time I can remember she has ever slept through night in her crib--ever!

I am a BIG swaddle fan, I used the miracle blanket and believe it is aptly named, LIllian was swaddled until 7 months old and slept WAY WAY better that way thoughs she would fuss and squirm while getting it done and protest but then drop off to sleep--she too could get velcro undone in a second. Miracle blankets are $40 which while expensive if they get you more sleep are well worth it IMO. Also, I think sleeping in a smaller area is better so they dont feel so lost, often when transitiong to crib etc they feel big open and lonely so I dont think the co-sleeper getttging to small is an issue.

I also think she is too young for rice cereal and studies have shown it does NOT help kids sleep lnoger, I broke down and tried it at 5 months and it had no effect.

(I think she is too young for this plan but this is what we are doing) One thing you might try is I started nursing her as much as she woudl take, nursing her to sleep, then putting her to sleep in her crib for first time at night, that way DH and I coudl get a bit of time, she was used to sleeping in her crib a bit so i twasnt as foreign to her (have been doing this for months), when she would wake up then dh woudl bring her to me and I would nurse her and she slept with us form there (previously).

Now that she is getting older (and VERY squirmy LOL) we just htis week tried having her sleep in her crib, once I am done feeding her in our bed for her 1am feeding I take her back to her crib and she lays right down and stays asleep or she might fuss for just a minute but I pat her to sleep, then she stays in there, if she wakes up again (which has only happened once this week--miraculous, whcih tells me she is ready for her crib) DH goes in and tries to pat her to sleep if she doenst want to sleep then we know she is hungry and I get up and feed her in rocker and put her back in her bed. It has worked really well for us but I just now felt her signs telling me she was ready.

Also, you might try gettin gher to take better naps during day and go with an earlier bed time. I was trying to keep Lillian up late with us thinking she woudlsleep when we were sleeping and we woudl get better sleep, although it is counterintuitive putting them to bed earlier often gets better sleep, many children today are sleep deprived, I pushed her bedtime back in 30 minute increments and now she is always ready for bedtime routine at 6:45 and in bed asleep by 7:30 and I can tell she needs it.

mom2lillian · Nov 30, 2007

Bonnie-wish I could offer soe great advice I too have had periods where I felt like there was no hope of ever sleepign but it got better. While I dont have the degenerative problems like you I have issues with my neck and I woudl often have problems from not being able to move properly while sleeping. My dh was also afraid of rolling on her but then he got used to her and it was never a problem--more a fear than anything. If you look at the times where there are actual suffocation incidents it is involving drugs morbid obesity improper sleeping arrangements etc.

I too think you will get less sleep if you dont co-sleep though I am all for trying whatever you think will work for you. Hvae you tried letting her sleep in a swing for a bit? Some people will warn you against this but we did it on occasions where she was havin ga hard time sleeping and it was a savior, we kept our cradle swing in our bedroom.

Lillian is 11 months old and last night was the first time I can remember she has ever slept through night in her crib--ever!

I am a BIG swaddle fan, I used the miracle blanket and believe it is aptly named, LIllian was swaddled until 7 months old and slept WAY WAY better that way thoughs she would fuss and squirm while getting it done and protest but then drop off to sleep--she too could get velcro undone in a second. Miracle blankets are $40 which while expensive if they get you more sleep are well worth it IMO. Also, I think sleeping in a smaller area is better so they dont feel so lost, often when transitiong to crib etc they feel big open and lonely so I dont think the co-sleeper getttging to small is an issue.

I also think she is too young for rice cereal and studies have shown it does NOT help kids sleep lnoger, I broke down and tried it at 5 months and it had no effect.

(I think she is too young for this plan but this is what we are doing) One thing you might try is I started nursing her as much as she woudl take, nursing her to sleep, then putting her to sleep in her crib for first time at night, that way DH and I coudl get a bit of time, she was used to sleeping in her crib a bit so i twasnt as foreign to her (have been doing this for months), when she would wake up then dh woudl bring her to me and I would nurse her and she slept with us form there (previously).

Now that she is getting older (and VERY squirmy LOL) we just htis week tried having her sleep in her crib, once I am done feeding her in our bed for her 1am feeding I take her back to her crib and she lays right down and stays asleep or she might fuss for just a minute but I pat her to sleep, then she stays in there, if she wakes up again (which has only happened once this week--miraculous, whcih tells me she is ready for her crib) DH goes in and tries to pat her to sleep if she doenst want to sleep then we know she is hungry and I get up and feed her in rocker and put her back in her bed. It has worked really well for us but I just now felt her signs telling me she was ready.

Also, you might try gettin gher to take better naps during day and go with an earlier bed time. I was trying to keep Lillian up late with us thinking she woudlsleep when we were sleeping and we woudl get better sleep, although it is counterintuitive putting them to bed earlier often gets better sleep, many children today are sleep deprived, I pushed her bedtime back in 30 minute increments and now she is always ready for bedtime routine at 6:45 and in bed asleep by 7:30 and I can tell she needs it.

mneville · Dec 1, 2007