Anxious new mum - co-sleeping with a newborn - Page 2

[beachygranola]

Oh my!,You need to get rid of that guilt!  Sleeping with your baby is the best.  I know that it can be worrisome at first because of what the hospital may tell you.  But I am confident your maternal instinct will protect your little one.   My daughter slept with me and my husband since she was brought home.  Either going to bed with us, or sleeping in her crib until she woke up for a feeding then slept the rest of the night next to me.  When she was super tiny, she slept on my chest or in the crook of my arm. Sometimes I would wake up and she would be so sweaty!  Or sometimes covered by a blanket (but my body was always bigger than hers so there was air flow), and I would wake up and move her to a better spot and pull the covers down. 

I am expecting baby #2 in a few weeks and I completely plan on the same sleep arrangement (my daughter is now 4 and sleeps in her own room in a toddler bed, and loves her room and bed).  Sleep is SO important, it is best you are comfortable and if that means having your baby by yours side, that is best.  Don't feel guilty, feel like you are doing the best thing for your baby.  She is safe, warm ,loved, right next to you.  Relax and enjoy this incredibly special time!

Cheers!

[Heba]

You might also like to look at this excerpt of James McKenna appearing on Australian TV on the 21st of this month, speaking about co-sleeping:

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst​/stories/3275008.htm 

[whozeyermamma]

OH - just wanted to add that both my kids spent the first 2 months sleeping on their bellies on my chest - while I was kind of half laying down, half propped up on the couch. It was soooo comfy for both of us!!!

[blackannis]

I intended to have my son sleep in a cradle right next to my side of the bed, but between the c-section recoveries and my son's absolute refusal from day 1 to go to sleep anywhere but on one of us, we ended up bed-sharing. It was really the only solution that kept me from getting immensely frustrated and unhappy due to the fact that he would actually wake up when he was transferred down to the crib, no matter how careful we were. Once I gave in and started bed-sharing, he slept pretty well. After the first few nights, I was pretty certain that I'd never smother him even though he insisted on sleeping with his nose in my armpit (as he still does even now at 22 months). My husband was a bit freaked out at first, especially when our pediatrician gave the usual dire warnings, but we just did things our way and it's been fine.

[Emelee]

Just to add what everyone else is saying, I was nervous at first but it was too natural to not sleep with DD. Even the first day after birth she slept on my chest while I had pillows propping up both arms to keep her from rolling off of me. She slept on my chest (always in a bed with a blanket only up to her waist) until she was 6 weeks old then I felt safe enough for her to sleep next to me. I used to be the DEEPEST sleeper you'd ever meet but the day I had my DD I became a different person. I can tell when her breathing changes and feel every little shift she makes so I much prefer sleeping with her than apart. I'm sure you will be safe, especially since you breastfeed and it will probably help you get more sleep than if your baby was away and you had to get up to feed at night. Good luck!

[missbaby]

We took a very relaxed approach to co-sleeping meaning that the bassinett was close to the bed and if baby got fussy in with us she came.  I agree with the OP that unfortunately disaster can strike whether you co-sleep or not and you just have to do what you know is right and what works for you while taking all precautions and safety measures. 

[Heidi Williams]

Hi, Im not a mommy yet, however i will be soon and my husband and i are moving into a VERY small apartment. There is no room for anything but a queen mattress in our bedroom, so baby has to sleep with us and i was worried as well. so i did some research and found this article actually. Its a study done by the University of Notre Dame. Here is the link:

http://www.nd.edu/~jmckenn1/lab/articles/McKenna_why%20babies%20should%20n.pdf

Hope that helps!! and good luck!!!