I'd like DS (3 months) to co-sleep! Any thoughts?

[AJ's mommy]

DS2 is 3 months old and doesn't like to co-sleep I actually would be fine with only part-time co-sleeping! Right now he sleeps in our room in a crib and I still try every night to bring him in bed, but he rarely falls asleep while nursing and when he does he wakes up 15 minutes later. He lays in bed tired with his eyes closed but whines, cries and moves none-stop. If he is swaddled he gets out of it. I cuddle, pat his butt/back, sing, shhhh in his ear, I tried everything! When he was younger he couldn't stay in bed after nursing because he needed to be burp a lot, so that made him fuss and cry, so I would pick him up, rock him to sleep after sometimes an hour of huge burps, then put him back in his crib swaddled. But since about 5 weeks ago he is all done with the reflux (most nights), but still doesn't want to sleep with me... We are going on a little trip in 3 weeks (4 nights) and I would really prefer him in bed with us than in a not so clean hotel crib!!! But I will also need to sleep if I want to enjoy the trip a little. Plus I would love for him to sleep with me at home too! Any thoughts on why he does that or what else I could try? Thanks mamas!

[rzberrymom]

Have you tried something like a Miracle Blanket to swaddle him? My DD was able to wiggle out of a regular swaddling blanket, but the Miracle Blanket really keeps her in there and she's able to calm down.

[maguvet]

my son is 8 months now and has gotten much better at co-sleeping since about 5 months. he was very gassy also, and although he does fall asleep nursing, he is very sensitive to movements, so he wakes up when i shift for any reason. our compromise has been to have him sleep in his crib the first 4-6 hours of the night, then bring him to bed, but i really can't move much or it wakes him up! often my arms fall asleep.

what does your son do to fall asleep in the crib? does he have a little routine? can you try and create his favorite position in your bed? for example, my son always wriggles so his head is touching the top edge. so when he sleeps in bed with me, i put my arm over the crown of his head - i guess he likes a little pressure there. have you considered an arms reach co-sleeper that attaches to your bed? kind of a compromise that gives him his own space, but you can just reach over and pull him to you to nurse. it is pretty cozy. my son doesn't like his, but many babies love them.

when we went on an extended trip (almost a month), i purchased a travel crib. he loves it. i put him in it at home several times before the trip. it was also good for naptimes - i didn't have to worry about him rolling out of the bed. the more expensive travel cribs are very lightweight, easy to open, and very portable. for me (we have close relatives out of the country) it was a very worthwhile investment. this way we have the bond of co-sleeping, but we are both better rested.

hope this helps.

[Megamus]

Hmm...could you get a room with 2 beds and let him sleep on the other one? That could be a decent compromise...otherwise a travel crib might be the best idea.