Co-sleeping question from a tired mama

[Jerlin]

Maybe I'm doing the whole co-sleeping thing wrong, as my 7.5 month old has been waking every 2 hours during the night. He wakes to suckle on the breast, not really getting any milk because he falls asleep within a minute or two. So he's not waking out of hunger. BTW, he's 28.5 inches tall and 20.25 pounds, exclusively breastfed straight from the tap.

When you co-sleep/bed-share, how far away on the bed are you sleeping? I have 2 Tres Tria co-sleeping pillows, one on the side of the bed and on at the foot of the bed. I have a king size bed. My DS and I sleep on it, while my DH sleeps on the twin size bed next to my side of the bed. When I climb into bed, I sleep a couple of feet or so away from my DS, as I'm afraid to disturb him. Now I'm thinking that I might be sleeping too far from him, and that's why he keeps waking at night. So my question is: How far do you sleep from you baby? Should I be sleeping closer on the bed? Thanks for helping an exhausted mama out!

[momtoTnT]

My dd and I slept snuggled right up next to each other - it got to the point where she could lift my shirt and nurse, and I wouldn't even have to be fully awake.

[alegna]

Both of mine always slept touching me as infants and toddlers.

-Angela

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by alegna

Both of mine always slept touching me as infants and toddlers.

-Angela

Same here.

[ericaness]

yup, ds sleeps right up next to me. if i move away from him, he wiggles his way over to me.

[flavorfull1]

So far it has seemed developmental for us. Sometimes he really wants to be mashed up on me, other times he really wants his space. I figure both out by him waking up more frequently. It's hard, hugs mama. I just go with if something isn't working, try something else until something does!

[Nicole730]

Both snuggle right up against me. DS still woke every 2 hours all night. I liked that I was there and he could nurse to sleep within minutes, made it way easier IMO. DD is up every 3 hours or so.

[Baby Mama]

My now 9month old use to sleep on her side, tummy to tummy with me. But since about a month ago i've woken up to her quite far away beyond arms reach or right next to me or anywhere in between.

[JStout]

Originally Posted by alegna

always slept touching me as infants and toddlers.

-Angela

Same here. Mine is 12 months and he has to at least be touching me. We just now bought a king size bed and I cannot wait to get into it. So at least I'll have a little more space.

It's hard because I wouldn't have him sleeping in any other place but in our bed, but I LOVE sleep and need to get more....

Nice to know that I'm not the only one. Because DH is sleeping just fine...

[Kiwiontheloose]

I need a bit of space to myself to sleep, so once my DD (13mths) has finished nursing I scoot away a little bit (maybe 1/2 a foot). I don't think (for her anyway) it would make any difference if I was touching her, in fact I think I'd probably wake her up more with my sleep-wriggling. 2hrly waking is pretty normal I thought? well it is for us anyway. As long as she goes back to sleep pretty quickly after a wee suck I don't mind.

[TerraNoelle]

We have the crib side car'ed so there is stretching room if needed. My almost 2 year old nurses several times a night as well. But he's also at the point where he does it and I don't even know.

Now since your little one is only 7.5 months, nursig every 2-3 hours is totally normal, even or comfort. My guy didn't slow up to every 3-5 hours until well over a year.

I know it can be tiring at first, but it does pass.

However if you don't have a side car'ed crib, I highly recommend it

[CherryBombMama]

Originally Posted by TerraNoelle

However if you don't have a side car'ed crib, I highly recommend it

yes! when i need my space, even if its just for an hour or two, i can gently scoot/roll/pick up my ds and place him in his crib. he will always make his way back to me, but at least i get to stretch out for a bit

[NEastMomma]

Oh, sometimes snuggled in belly to belly, other times with some space - as much space as possible w/ all three of us (me, DH and baby) in a QUEEN sized bed!

As PP stated, seems to be developmental... or something. DS is now 10mos and for the first time since 3mos old is sleeping more than a 2 hour stretch! Before this he'd wake constantly, sometimes every 30 min, sometimes every 2 hours or less to nurse. Just recently started sleeping most of night w/ only one or two wake ups, which is HEAVEN for me.

I really don't think you're doing anything wrong. Baby will sleep... eventually. HUGS and HANG IN THERE. We've all walked that path and can totally sympathize. You're doing a hard but wonderful job!