DH on board with co-sleeping but . . .

[trumpcard]

now I have concerns!

DD is 2 months old and has been in bed with us since day one. We were given a crib but it was packed away since we moved cross-country when DD was 5 weeks old. Now we are settled in our new home and DH has agreed that DD can continue to co-sleep up until 1 year since our new home is a split design and her room is on the other side of the house from ours. Can you help with my concerns?

1. DD sleeps between me and the edge of the bed now. I know she is safe there because she isn't mobile yet and I have a co-sleeper up against the bed in any case. When she becomes mobile should she be between DH and me for safety? Or does it matter as long as I am in bed with her? She naps comfortably on the floor so I am only concerned about nighttime. I am afraid I will lose DH's support if I suggest putting the mattress on the floor or moving it against the wall but if those are my only options I will try. I am also hoping not to spend any more money.

2. I am from the desert southwest and we just moved to freezing-cold-winters-Wisconsin. How will I stay warm enough in bed without a heavy, cozy blanket? Please share how you dress yourself and your bed for winter co-sleeping.

3. Finally, DD has been sleeping in the crook of my arm since birth. This makes BFing easier in the night and keeps me aware of her presence all the time BUT I am sore all over from staying in the same position. Suggestions?

[ErinYay]

Originally Posted by trumpcard

now I have concerns!

DD is 2 months old and has been in bed with us since day one. We were given a crib but it was packed away since we moved cross-country when DD was 5 weeks old. Now we are settled in our new home and DH has agreed that DD can continue to co-sleep up until 1 year since our new home is a split design and her room is on the other side of the house from ours. Can you help with my concerns?

1. DD sleeps between me and the edge of the bed now. I know she is safe there because she isn't mobile yet and I have a co-sleeper up against the bed in any case. When she becomes mobile should she be between DH and me for safety? Or does it matter as long as I am in bed with her? She naps comfortably on the floor so I am only concerned about nighttime. I am afraid I will lose DH's support if I suggest putting the mattress on the floor or moving it against the wall but if those are my only options I will try. I am also hoping not to spend any more money.

2. I am from the desert southwest and we just moved to freezing-cold-winters-Wisconsin. How will I stay warm enough in bed without a heavy, cozy blanket? Please share how you dress yourself and your bed for winter co-sleeping.

3. Finally, DD has been sleeping in the crook of my arm since birth. This makes BFing easier in the night and keeps me aware of her presence all the time BUT I am sore all over from staying in the same position. Suggestions?

1. V slept the same way til about 4 months or so. Now she sleeps between us. She doesn't crawl at night, but she does sprawl a little. If she sleeps between me and the outside of the bed, both DH and I end up smooshed way over on his side, but not if she's in the middle. Go figure.

2. SOCKS. If your feet are toasty, the rest of you stays warmer than otherwise. On horrid midwestern nights, (she was a December baby) I used a twin sized comforter and laid it "the wrong way" over our lower bodies. This kept us warm without having the covers near her.

EDIT: I just read that she's 2 months now- by the cold winter, she should be strong enough to cope with at least a lighter-weight quilt. It's hot here now, but some nights we do have a nice blanket, and V does just fine, though she's wicked strong and mobile (7 months.)

3. Yeah, that gets old (though we sleep with her head on my shoulder/upper arm a lot now, and even at almost 20 lbs, it's not bad at all). Often I'd have the top of her head smooshed right into my armpit, with my arm going down around her side. Or she was on her belly on my chest, but that's hard to do when they get bigger. (Also it hurts your boobs when they stop fitting between them nicely.) Lay down for a nap or something and play with positions?

Good luck, and keep it up! You're doing great!