Stupid co-sleeping question....

[Cybercere]

So, I'm new to co-sleeping - DS (now 8 1/2) slept in his car seat most of the time because it was the only way he would go to sleep. DD is now 7 weeks old and we've been co-sleeping. sort of started out of exhaustion - my partner is on midnight shift this year so it's been basically just me and DD for 6 nights in a row and then he's home for three. Anyhow, we have mastered side-lying nursing to the point where I often start to nurse and then wake up 2 hours later with her snuggled up next to me, sometimes still half attached to my boob (Sorry for TMI) and i get really worried that I'm going to smother her. I don't smoke, rarely drink more than a little wine with dinner and was doing all the other "correct" things for co-sleeping. Advice anyone?

[Maluhia]

Happened to me once in a while, sounds fine. That is the great thing, even when nursing you won't smother your baby. Pretty rad, eh?

[NSmomtobe]

I had the same concern, but the nurse reassured me that no baby ever gets smothered breastfeeding--they will unlatch and pull away if necessary. If you are worried about rolling onto her, what I do is put the arm I am lying on out straight above DS, which prevents me from rolling that way.

[Cybercere]

That is what I intuitively believe, but all the anti co-sleeping messaging is getting to me.

[munchymum]

Don't worry - it sounds like you have truly mastered side-lying breastfeeding and you are reaping the benefits of being able to go to sleep while your baby is still nursing. Research on SIDS tends to find that when co-sleeping is involved in an infant death, there is also some other danger factor present, like smoking, drug taking, excessive drinking or co-sleeping on a couch. As a breastfeeding mother, you will have a heightened awareness of your baby and you will not roll over and smother it.

Enjoy your co-sleeping!