Need advice for newborn

[MrsBone]

Okay, so I know I'm jumping the gun here, but I'm pregnant with #2 and currently working on getting DS in his own room, all night so that I can then focus on new baby all night when she arrives. My issue is, DS was in our bed from day 1. I had every intention of moving him into his own crib, but didn't realize just how hard that would be! He's still in our bed most of the time at 2 years old, and needs me to be in the room with him while he falls asleep. We're working on that. I'd like to be able to tell him to go to bed, and maybe read some books with him, but then him fall asleep on his own before next baby arrives. I'd like to not start this trend all over again with the next babe, but I know it's going to be harder in the beginning, with the sleep loss, not just rolling over and nursing baby to sleep, etc, but honestly, my sleep has suffered dramatically from cosleeping, and I am pretty much willing to sacrifice sleep for the first few months to get through that for when the babe sleeps through the night. Again, I know every baby is different, and I might change my mind, but I'm going to give it a try. I'd like to baby wear, and still be attached, but I need to find a good compromise. My question is, in the first 2-3 months, will I be creating any habits by nursing to sleep, baby-wearing to sleep, etc? Will it be hard to break those habits? When can baby actually go without nursing at night and sleep through the night? I'm not opposed to using a pacifier either. I know alot of you on here are more AP than me, and probably don't agree with my thoughts, but I just need to do what's best for me in my situation.

[lunarlady]

I worked super hard to get our DD1 out of our bed and room before DD2 arrived. Despite her spending months in her own bed before the birth, she insisted on coming back in after baby arrived. I flat out refused to squeeze her in our bed while nursing a newborn, so she now sleeps on a pallet next to DH side, and the new baby sleeps in a cradle on my side. I got one with a 100 lb limit so baby can stay as long as we like, and I don't have to panic when DD1 climbs in to play (when baby isn't in there, of course. ). I think having a little personal space helps me sleep better, although we bedshared with DD1 for three years.

Hope you find a working balance for your family.

[motherhendoula]

I havent had to deal with two in the bed for many years now...but I know how you feel with an active baby in your bed.  We have a co-sleeper side carred to the bed for our LO - have used it since the first few weeks.  DS also slept on my chest in those first few weeks - i dont think you can get such a young infant 'accustomed to' or used to sleeping in a certain place or certain way.  I wouldnt worry about it until baby is at least past 3 months old.

[Knitting Mama]

My suggestion would a transition to a toddler bed in your room, if that is feasible space-wise. It could be the best of both worlds that way.

[kwiathellen]

I worried about the same thing. We decided to have both kids with us in our bedroom. Baby sleeps in the cosleeper next to me then my husband the the my 2.5 year old DD. She sleeps on a twin bed( which is against the wall) attached to our queen bed. Our bedroom is very small but we had just enough room to have two beds and a cosleeper. DD was used to me putting her to bed and I also did all the n igh wakings because I slept next to her my whole pregnancy so I worried about her not being used to suddenly having daddy next to her at night. The first few night were rough. I had to move baby and me into another bedroom for 2 weeks. That was just enought time for DD to get used to going to sleep with daddy and having daddy comfort her when she woke in the middle of the night. I came back to our bed after two weeks and everything has been great. SOmetimes DD climbs over DH to get to me in the middle of the night and if baby is there then I move him to the cosleeper. Everybodys happy. Oh, and soon after DS was born my DD started going to sleep on her own for nap and at night!!! Before we had to lie down with her until she fell asleep( it usually took her an hour!)). One day at nap time when baby was awake I said to her that I have to go change his diaper and feed him in another room and said that I would come back to check on her soon. SHe didn't protest and when I came  back, she was asleep!!! SO that's when I knew that she can fall asleep without anyone being in bed with her!

Hope you find a solution that works for you!