3-month old insists on sleeping ON me!

[greeny]

I can't be the only one with this prob... er.... issue.

I am a reluctant co-sleeper. Didn't do it full time with my first two because they didn't demand it. This one does, so I'm warming up to the idea and have had her in bed with me pretty much since day 1.

However, she increasingly demands to be ON me rather than next to me. She does this by refusing to settle down, even after nursing (and nursing and nursing) and only settling when I pick her up and put her on my chest. If I lie her back down later, she wakes up and fusses/cries.

Also, I can't be lying flat; she wants me to be either sitting up straight or half-way reclining on some pillows.

I guess I'm not looking for advice, as there's probably none to give. But has anyone else been through this? I could use some commiseration!

[BakerGirl]

No, you're not alone!

My son, now seven months, slept exclusively on my chest until he was about four months old. Now he spends part of the night on me and part either in my arm or lying next to me on the bed. Like your baby, he wants me to be fairly upright, so I sleep propped up on a bunch of pillows. I noticed that around four months he started to get more restless on my chest, so I tried flipping him over and into the crook of one arm. He seems to like to stretch out sometimes, but he also likes/needs to be able to see my face easily. He'll open his eyes quickly and look at me until I make eye contact, then fall back asleep.

Like you, I didn't plan on co-sleeping, and I was kind of annoyed at first, but I realized that it was the only way that either of us was going to get any sleep and just went with it. Now I love having my little 22lb hot water bottle and I'll miss him when he decides to sleep by himself!

[odoole]

Have you thought about silent reflux? My son did the same thing. Refusing to lie flat is classic for that.

[aksign]

I know this isnt recommended, but it works for us to sleep in a recliner for this reason- my ds likes the upright sensation as well.

[mamaGG]

My dd would only sleep on me while I was sitting up as well until she was about 4 months or so. She did have reflux so I think this was part of it. But she never really like sleeping on her back. Eventually at about 4 months or so I could get her to lie on her side facing me - but I never did get her to lay on her back. Hang in there!

[prothyraia]

My son did this as a newborn.

He's three now, and doesn't sleep on my chest any more.

[eshallow]

my dd (now 11 mo) would only sleep on me, in a certain position on the couch (no reflux or any issues that i know of), too for the first 6 months. sometimes it was overwhelming but i tried to just enjoy it mostly and i am glad i did. i miss it now sometimes. i got a lot of reading done, caught up on tv (now cancelled), and learned to knit over her back while she slept. i ended up putting our mattress on the floor and then side lying with her to nurse to sleep and was able to slip away around 6 months. she still wakes every 40 minutes (sleep cycle i suppose) and needs a quick nurse to get back to sleep but she will sleep on her own. it does get better (or change at least) so enjoy your little cuddle bug while you can.

[Icehockey18]

[QUOTE=BakerGirl;14725149]No, you're not alone!

My son, now seven months, slept exclusively on my chest until he was about four months old. Now he spends part of the night on me and part either in my arm or lying next to me on the bed. Like your baby, he wants me to be fairly upright, so I sleep propped up on a bunch of pillows. I noticed that around four months he started to get more restless on my chest, so I tried flipping him over and into the crook of one arm. He seems to like to stretch out sometimes, but he also likes/needs to be able to see my face easily. He'll open his eyes quickly and look at me until I make eye contact, then fall back asleep.

My 6 mo ds did the same thing!!!! We still sleep face to face and I love it! I was not reluctant to begin co sleeping but I didn't think it would require me to sleep upright most of the night..... But I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love my little cuddle buddy