Cosleeping with DS1, DC2 on way, Amby recall, other options

[porcelina]

DS1 is 27 months, cosleeps and is still a frequent night nurser. On a good (very rare) night, he will wake up at 2 and at 4:30 and 6:30. On a normal night, it's 12, 2, 4, and 6 (sometimes more between 4 and 6, and up for day around 6.30; goes down around 7.30). I'm not ready to night wean, but at the same time, I fear having both a newborn (expected in September) and a 2 waking every 2 hours. Also, DS1 loves to sleep horizontal in our queen bed (DH sleeps in twin mattress next to us) and moves around a lot/wakes himself up with dreams. I'm having trouble imagining how on earth we would co-sleep with 2 little ones. Also, given DS1's trouble with reflux in the beginning (couldn't nurse laying down without instant reflux for 5-6 months), I'm thinking we may need some other option. I purchased an Amby used some time ago (back when I was desperate to help DS1 sleep better & thought it might help -- he was already too big), and I had planned on using this for #2. However, now with the recall, I'm not sure what to think.

What were your sleep arrangements when #2 arrived? Is nightweaning a must for sanity? Do some older sibs begin to adjust on their own? Or wake up even more with baby disturbances? Yikes!

Thanks!

[Rose-Roget]

I don't have real solutions for you, but I wanted to let you know that Amby is sending out "fixes" for their recall. Don't know yet what that entails, but just fyi...

Good luck - I'm sure you'll get some good advice/guidance.

[chinupchamp]

Originally Posted by porcelina

What were your sleep arrangements when #2 arrived? Is nightweaning a must for sanity? Do some older sibs begin to adjust on their own? Or wake up even more with baby disturbances? Yikes!

Thanks!

Hey mama, I know what you are going through and I really feel for you! I just nightweaned my 26 mo and although she still asks for it usually once a night, I just distract with soothing words and cuddles. Since nightweaning, which started about a month ago, I have had two nights where we all slept through the night.

So, to answer your question, I nightweaned because we are planning on having another baby. I feel that I will need that reassurance that DD1 will be okay through the night and eventually, maybe, switch places with my DH, who, like yours, sleeps in a single be beside ours. That's the plan - nightwean, gently, and as she sleeps more throughout the night, transition her to the single bed in our room. Personally, I think that sibs who cosleep/room share with the family learn to sleep through the baby noises. Especially when there's no CIO or anything like that happening.

Something that two of my closest friends' families do is to have a double bed in the first sibs room and daddy and sib1 sleep there and mom and second sib share other bed. I think this is quite common.

You'll find your path. When I start wondering how we are going to keep going with all this cosleeping stuff I remember a time when I was in the middle east and one family I met there slept six in a one room house and she was expecting another! They work it out - and so can we!

Good luck!
Lisa

[porcelina]

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered the Amby fix-it kit, so we'll see what that looks like!

We have tried nightweaning before, the last time was at around 20 months, and just failed (he won the game of chicken -- up for 3 hours at each waking, sleeping only 1 hour stretch, 3 nights in a row). The other night I had a taste of both what nightweaning will/would be like AND how hard it will be if he's not nightweaned -- he had already nursed, and then wet his diaper (had drunk a lot of water at bathtime, and nursing must have put him over the edge). I couldn't nurse more because of sore nips, and he accepted that without crying, but wanted to be rocked and was STILL awake for 1.5 hours! So, he needs to learn to sleep better!!!

Anyway, you're right! We'll find our way! I think we'll try to nightwean after a trip planned in 2 weeks (2nd trimester).