New sleeping position needed

[Annie Mac]

Since my LO was born, she has been sleeping in our bed. The sleeping position I have used is to have her cradled in my arm, side lying, nursing. The problem is that she is getting bigger and heavier and this is getting very uncomfortable for me, but she is very used to it, and doesn't want to change. She wakes up even if I wait for her to hit deep sleep and then take my arm away very gently. I've tried putting my hand on her, but no dice. Anyone have any suggestions as to other positions or methods to keep her sleeping while NOT cradled?

[MayasMama88]

Hi there! I started co-sleeping with my daughter when she was about three months old. I never cradled her in my arm while she nursed, simply because I wasn't exactly sure how to do the lying down position, but what I DID do is tuck my arm up under my pillow and position myself right up against her so that she could nurse very easily (I have small breasts so I kind of had to). Then once she fell asleep, I could just scoot away a few inches so we'd both have some space. I would just sleep on my side facing her so that when she woke up to nurse I could just scoot myself close to her again. I still use this position with her and she is now 9 months old. It's worked out fairly well! Hope this helps!

[Annie Mac]

Thanks. I tried that last night. It's still hard on my shoulder joint, and she doesn't sleep as long at a stretch, but it is an improvement. Her ability to move around the bed freaks me out a little though. When I woke up this morning her face was a little bit under the pillow. I think she would have fussed and moved her head if it was seriously a problem, but still, it wasn't fun to see.

[MayasMama88]

Originally Posted by Annie Mac

Thanks. I tried that last night. It's still hard on my shoulder joint, and she doesn't sleep as long at a stretch, but it is an improvement. Her ability to move around the bed freaks me out a little though. When I woke up this morning her face was a little bit under the pillow. I think she would have fussed and moved her head if it was seriously a problem, but still, it wasn't fun to see.

Yeah, the shoulder joint thing is my only complaint, but you kind of get used to it after awhile. How old is your LO now? I know my DD ends up a little under the pillow a LOT, or nestled into my armpit. Sometimes I scoot her down a bit so she's not too covered, but for the most part she'll move herself when she gets uncomfortable. I know how freaky it can be though! The first time I saw her like that, or the first time she rolled over onto her stomach with her face DOWN in the bed... OMG. I definitely panicked, but one night I sat and watched her for awhile and when she got uncomfortable she changed positions with no problems. If you do find a new position for BFing lying down, please let me know, lol!

[Annie Mac]

She's 3 1/2 months, or thereabouts. I lost track of how many weeks after eight of them! I've been alternating the arm around her with sleeping a few inches away from her. She sleeps longer with the arm around her but if I alternate between feedings, I get at least one good long sleep.

[MayasMama88]

Sometimes that is just enough to stay sane, lol!