Cosleeping poll - Page 2

[merpk]

1. Why do you cosleep?
Because I love cuddling with our children. Because DH loves cuddling with our children. Because there is nothing more beautiful than laying awake with your partner and just listening to the sound of your children breathing. Except maybe actually watching them sleep.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
As long as they want to be with us, they can be with us. I don't think there is any set age. That said, DS#1 is ready to get his own bed, which we are in the process of shopping for. He's b'H 7yo.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
b'H 7yo, 5yo, 3yo, and 10mo. Oh, and me&DH.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
We have multiple futons on the floor, right up against each other, a queen and two twins. DH and I are overweight, thankyouverymuch.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
No more. I miss them, too.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
Nope.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
Well, for a time DS#1 would flail in his sleep when he was having bad dreams, and often he would be kind of upsidedown where his feet were near heads, and he kicked DH in the head a few times. So we removed the bad-dream-impetus (a particular TV show), the bad dreams stopped, as did the head-kicking. That was a long time ago.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Absolutely.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
No. Futons directly on the floor. Good for the back, only a few inches off the ground (so nobody has too far to fall :LOL) ... only drawback to futons on the floor is you've got to be strict with a no-shoes-in-the-room-or-on-the-bed rule, otherwise when they run in the room they'll just run right over the bed with shoes on, which makes me nuts.




"Cosleeping" is *not* complicated or a big deal. It feels right ... so just do it.

[guest9969]

Good survey. Here goes....

1. Why do you cosleep?

Because my ds insisted early on that it was the only way.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

DS has made it clear that HE is in charge of this decision. :LOL I would like him to sleep in his own bed by around 2 but we are flexible on this.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

DS - he's 18 months old.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

We have a queen sized bed. DP is 6'4" (and around 200 lbs) and I'm 5'9" (and around 135 lbs).

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

We were really strict about them (dog and cat) sleeping elsewhere until ds was 1. Now they are in and out of our bed. This is hardest on me as our golden retreiver seems to think he can't sleep unless he's pressed up against me. I kick 'em out if it feels too crowded but they always come back.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
Um, well, parenthood has changed my relationship with DP so this is a really hard question to answer. We both agree that cosleeping is right for us.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

Only me - I sometimes wake up with ds's foot in my face. :LOL

Of course, there was the time that I woke up in the middle of the night and thought dh was on ds's arm (he wasn't) so I shoved dh onto the floor. I was completely exhausted at the time and dh was un-injured. He still gives me a hard time about it though.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Yes - much better than when I was trying to get ds to sleep in his "own" bed. I hardly wake up at all during the night unless ds needs something. I bf and can basically do it without ever really waking up. To me, this is one of the main benefits (to the parents) of co-sleeping.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

We did have a cosleeper when ds was little. Nothing now. Depending on his age when he moves to his own bed, I'll put rails on that.

[TchrGrrl]

1. Why do you cosleep?
-so I can sleep! both of my boys NEEDED momma to sleep, instead of fighting that very obvious fact I just go with it. Also I am really parinoid and like being able to see/feel my baby breathe at 2am - much easier to do when he is in bed with me!
-because their is no better way to wake up than to the coo and smile of your baby!


2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
I slept with my first until he was 6 months old (he was ready to sleep in the crib and the transition was soooo easy), I really hope our new babe wants to stay in bed with us longer! I don't think there is a magic age - it totally depends on the child and the family.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
2 adults, 1 11 week old

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
We have a queen and we are both quite wide. : DH also sleeps with a CPAP machine for sleep apnea so DS2 stays either on my side of the bed or in the middle, in my arms.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
a huge dog and 2 cats... they were all kicked out of bed looong ago

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
It makes nighttime more peaceful because I can just roll over and tend to DS2 vs. one of us having to tromp through the cold house to get a screaming baby (and ultimately getting pissy with each other because our sleep is so disrupted). It does make spontaneous woopie more of a challenge for us. :

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
When DS1 was 6 weeks old he was sleeping on my chest and rolled on to the floor BUT my situation was unique in that we were co-sleeping in a hospital bed after I broke my leg and I was doped up on Vicodin :

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
As good as anyone with a 2 year old who still night wakes a couple of times a week and a newborn can get

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
We have a co-sleeper on my side of the bed. Honestly DS2 spends most of the night in my arms in the bed with me but I really like having the co-sleeper there as our safety net. It also holds bottles of water and burp cloths quite nicely. If I could have convinced DH to take apart our crib, move it across the house and side-car it to our bed we would have skipped the co-sleeper option.

[eminer]

1. Why do you cosleep?

It doesn't feel "right" to me to have a child further away from me, while I sleep, than I believe she is mature enough to handle comfortably without help from monitors, crib bars, gates, etc. For an infant, that means the only place is in bed next to dh and me. (They need a body, and close proximity in order for us to be able to waken to their signals before they become distressed.) At 3yo, my dd has no trouble navigating space alone at night, but she would still get scared and feel separated from the rest of the family if sleeping in a separate room.

I love how co-sleeping encourages night nursing *with little effort from me*. If I had to fully awaken and keep track, I would not have been able to nurse my dd many times a night during her first 2 years, and remain happy, well-rested, and unresentful. It has also facilitated our very laid back approach to sleep routines. Sometimes if dd1 is still not asleep by the time dh and I are ready for bed, we will get in bed together and read books. I realized recently that it can take as long as an hour before dd falls asleep this way, if she's not especially tired, but I don't notice or mind, because it's pleasant and cozy to snuggle in bed as a family and read. Oh, and once we realized that dd1 was certainly not going to need a separate bedroom within the next lease period, we were freed to move from a 2br apt (which we'd thought we needed for her) to a 1br, which is cheaper (and thus helps allow us to continue to stay/work at home) and easier to keep clean.


2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

Until a mutually agreeable (mostly child-led, but if guided by a clear insight I would nudge it along) time.


3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

Dh (33), me (25), dd1 (3.5 years), and dd2 (3 weeks).


4. How big is your bed? And if you don't mind...what size are you and DP?

We have a queen and a twin, in opposite corners of our bedroom. About half the time, dd1 starts out the night in the twin, then comes into the queen with everyone else when she wakes up (could be middle of the night, or not until morning). Sometimes, dh wakes up early in the morning feeling squished, and moves into the twin to finish sleeping. Dh is pretty large, I am about average, in size. So yes, that is one cozy queen sized bed when we are all sleeping in it.


6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

Having children has changed our relationship, but I don't think co-sleeping per se has...


7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

When dd1 had first learned to crawl, she crawled out of bed several times. Around the barriers I erected -- she was clearly determined and trying to learn how to crawl out, which she did by the end of the several times. She got some bumps on the head in the process, but nothing serious.


8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Yes. I don't remember waking up for most nursings, and am back asleep almost immediately after I have my newborn securely latched on (or after I take off her wet diaper and trek into the bathroom to see if she still wants to go in the sink and return to bed and replace the diaper and get her latched on ...)

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

When dd1 was younger (say, from crawling age to 21 months? I can't remember exactly), we had an old comforter folded in quarters, covered with a "crib" quilt, on the floor next to our bed. We sometimes put her down on that when we wanted to be intimate, then brought her back into bed with us. We never used siderails, but we did try to have something (e.g. a chair, a small table) blocking dd from rolling out of bed. Now we have our mattress on the floor, which is fun and cozy and helps us allow us to all fit comfortably (I feel comfortable being, or putting a kid, much closer to the edge -- I mean, we can hang off of it onto the floor, if we like).

[RosieTook]

1. Why do you cosleep? Because we believe it is the best and most natural way to sleep...the thought of leaving my dd in a room all alone just scares me..plus it sure makes night nursing easy

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed? Until she is ready to sleep alone...I am hoping that this will be sometime between 3 and 5, but honestly I don't know...I am planning on having her sleep with her future next youngest sibling..I think that co sleeping with siblings is also a great idea...perhaps they will sleep on a a seperate mattress in our room first, we'll take it as it comes I guess.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?Only one..our dd is 7 months old

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP? Our bed is a double and dh is very slim and I am heavier, 200lbs and 5'3'' ...we seem to fit alright, but I do have a cosleeper that dh made along with out bed fram that fits next to the bed to give me or dd extra room depending on which side I am nursing on.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep? We have 3 cats and although I love sleeping with them I am sensitive to their fur so they were kicked out of the bedroom long before dd came along, mores the pity We wouldn't have let them sleep in the bed with dd though, not enough room and I don't like the idea...plus they would probably wake her up, knowing our cats.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it? Yes we have to baby dance outside the bed mostly. The cosleeper helps, but she likes our mattress better...and we don't snuggle as much cause we are both snuggling her, but we both sleep just fine.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt? Not one.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep? Yeah he doesn't even wake when she does and I barely do most times. I have problems getting to sleep but that was the way LONG before dd came along.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails? Dh built a cosleeper on the side, mostly because we only have a double and he is a sprawler...when we get a king we probably won't use it. It is a great place to put books and an extra pillow though!

[Datura]

1. Why do you cosleep?
It just seemed natural. He was born in our bed, and when on his first night he snuggled in with us. We could hear him breathe, we could check that he was ok. If he woke up and needed us, we were there. He learned not to cry because there was no need. All he does is ask for help, and he has it.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
He'll sleep with us as long as he likes. When he asks for a bed, he'll get one. The plan is to get him another little mattress to put near ours, then when he's ready, his own room. I don't really have a set age, I think every child's needs are different.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
My husband (25), myself (24) and our son (17 months).

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
We have two queen size mattresses on the floor. So we have tons and tons of room, which is great. We're both tall and fairly substantial people, but we're not obese.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
Animals got booted out, dander/overlaying concerns. Not to mention the possiblity of them waking little man up.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
Its made us closer. We love to watch our little cherub at night. Sex is also waaay more fun, as we have to sneak around the house like naughty high schoolers.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
Nope. Just use common sense.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Ryder started sleeping 5 hours a stretch at 2 months old. Now he sleeps 12 hour nights with two wake ups to feed, then a 7-8 hour stretch from latenight to morning. DH doesn't even wake up, and truthfully, I barely wake up. He just attaches and is back to sleep within the minutes.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
As we're on a mattress on the floor, there's no need. We butt the side of the mattress up against the wall, so he can't roll off.



I can't say enough good things about co-sleeping.

Good luck!

[Slackermom]

1. Why do you cosleep?
Because it felt right, right from the first night she was born. I loved having her close to me, and I got a better night's sleep, as I could BF her in bed and doze off.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
At this stage, DD is almost 17 months, and we're co-sleeping for part of the night. She starts out in her own crib, and comes in with us around 3am. I don't think there's a set age when a child should be in her own bed. It depends on the child, the parents, and the family.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
Me (36), DH (39), DD (16 1/2 months)

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
We have a king size bed, but when DD was born we had a queen. I'm very small, just 5 feet, and DH isn't big either (he's a bit tubby, but he's only 5'8).

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
We have two cats, and most nights they are curled up at the bottom of the bed, on my legs, or next to DH.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
DH was uncomfortable sleeping next to a tiny baby, so for the first few months he slept in the spare room. He still got up to do all the diaper changes, etc, he just wasn't comfortable being in the bed until she was a bit bigger. That didn't really affect our relationship, though. If anything, co-sleeping has made us closer, because it's such a lovely, snuggling thing to do as a family.


7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
Never. Well, except for one morning last month when DD jumped off the bed! But that wasn't really a co-sleeping incident.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Yes. I wouldn't have survived the first 6 months or so if we weren't cosleeping. The only time I don't get a good night's sleep is when DH snores.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
My parents bought us a bassinette co-sleeper, but we didn't use it much, except for naps sometimes. The cats enjoyed it, though!

[mahogny]

Originally Posted by NightOwl

1. Why do you cosleep?

Several reasons - it's easier to breastfeed during the night, and I just don't want to be separated from my little baby!!! I can't sleep alone, why do I expect a baby to be able to? I just can't stand the thought of my baby all by him/herself in another room! I don't know how I could be an effective parent if I willingly separate myself from my children!

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

It's totally up to each individual child. DS slept in our bed until he was 20 months or so, then he decided he wanted to be with us but not in our bed, so he slept on a pallet on the floor for another 10 months or so. When he was 2 1/2, he was ready to sleep in his own room. He often comes into our bed in the morning. We'll let DD make up her own mind, too.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

two adults, one 5 wk old, and in the morning, a 3 1/2 year old, and a very large cat. OY! I will honestly say it does get crowded!

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

We have a queen. I'm postpartum now so I'm still 10 lbs over what I normally am of 145 lbs and 5'8". DH is 5'10" and 250 lbs. He also sleeps with a CPAP.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

A cat, and he sleeps on top of my legs, between my legs, next to my legs, etc.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

Of course it's changed our relationship - but that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just different. We have to get creative about our sexual life, I don't get to snuggle with him in bed as much as I like, as we've got children between us, and we don't just get to lollygag around in bed and talk about whatever, but I think that's true of anyone with children, no matter where they sleep.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

never.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

As good as anyone else with small children! I'd even say we get more sleep than people who don't co-sleep. I don't have to get out of bed to nurse, so I know that I get more sleep!

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

Right now we have a co-sleeper on my side of the bed. DD is never in it, but it's used as a safe guard in case she should roll off the bed. We used it for that for DS, too, and he NEVER rolled off the bed, and I don't expect DD to, either. But better safe than sorry, y'know? Probably in a few months, we'll take the co-sleeper down and put the guardrails back up. Some people put their mattress directly on the floor, but I've got too much stuff stored underneath my bed to be able to do that! :LOL

[sevenkids]

1. Why do you cosleep?

It's the easiest way to night time parent. No getting up to nurse, baby falls asleep faster, sleeps longer, I sleep better with my baby close to me.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

I have co-slept for 22 almost 23 years. My kids went into their own beds when they felt like it, some where as young as 2, one still comes in occasionally (9) and one's still here more often than not.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

My 5 year old is still in my bed more aften than not. He starts out in his room and migrates back most nights.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

I have a queen. I'm rather fluffy, but dh is a rail. Doesn't matter, they both end up on top of me anyway. :

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

My cat sleeps with my ds (20) who does not co-sleep anymore (whew!). Although, when my kids (even the teens) are bothered about something, they'll come lie down with me and discuss their issues. They see it as a safe space for them to be open and they must feel protected there. The dogs sleep in the kitchen. The iguanas sleep in their cage.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

No. Parenting has changed our relationship.



7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

No.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Dh never woke up after the first few weeks of co-sleeping, except to roll over and throw an arm over both of us while I nursed the baby, sometimes plant a kiss on baby's head. I slept much better after a few weeks when I didn;t have to sit up to nurse.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

No, mattress on the floor with young ones, bed pushed to the wall.

[jillene]

1. Why do you cosleep?
I've always felt more comfortable with DS right there. It made nursing and night feeds so much easier. DH and I both slept better and got a lot more rest when cosleeping than we did the few days we tried the crib. DS is a lot happier and more secure than the children we know who don't cosleep. There are a ton of reasons but those are the biggest.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
We still cosleep and DS will be 2 at the end of May. We've begun trying to transition him to his own bed but he still comes and gets into bed with us about halfway through the night, and that's perfectly fine with us. The only reason we're doing that is I'm 31 weeks pg with #2 and DS and DH are both big bed hogs and it's just getting uncomfortable with that many people in the bed and no room for me to move much. lol

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
Just DS atm, and he's almost 2yo

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
We have a California King. :-) I'm 5'5" and normally around 130. (currently 170 and hugely pg). DH is 5'9" and about 200lbs.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
We have two dogs and they sleep in their crates next to our bed.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
I think it's made us both appreciate time with each other more. We still cuddle as much as ever but we generally sneak off for adult activity during the day instead of at bedtime, primarily because I'm way too exhausted by then. The afternoon romps are more exciting though because it's this whole big rendezvous and it's more spontaneous. I have definitely fallen more deeply in love with DH since cosleeping. There's nothing more heartwarming than seeing my son snuggled up to his daddy with them both sleeping in the same position and everything. It's the cutest thing!


7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
nope. :-) Unless you count me getting kicked by DS. lol

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
yup!

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
we used siderails when ds was rolling a ton but not big enough for DH to feel comfortable with him in the middle. DH is a pretty heavy sleeper and he was worried about rolling onto him. We don't use anything now though.

[kavamamakava]

Originally Posted by NightOwl

I'm trying to figure out how we'll sleep when the baby arrives in June. Please answer these questions:

1. Why do you cosleep?

Because I'm lazy and don't want to get out of bed int he middle of the night. And because I don't like buying all sorts of furniture for babies when I have this huge comfy bed to share with them. And because I miss my babies at night when I can't cuddle them. And then there's all the other good stuff.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

I plan to co-sleep as long as we are all comfortable in bed and needing it. I don't think there is an age that a child SHOULD be in their own bed. We offer an alternative bed around the time they start sleeping really well at night and not liking to cuddle much. My son got a single bed with his own pillow and blanket when he turned one. It was pushed up against ours so it was just an extension of our big bed but he had his own space and loved it. My first daughter slept with me off and on her first year because she liked having space to spread her arms and legs and also liked having the resistance of a body to push on with her legs or a wall to push on. She was pushing us out of the bed. She slept with us for her 2nd year and now sleeps with her brother.
Baby is with us.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

Three
Sometimes four. Nadia will join us in the early hours because she wakes up and wants to nurse. Then she stays there until we all wake up.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

King
I'm 5'4" and when pregnant get up to 200 and when not pregnant, around 145
He's 5'10" and around 180

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

Doggy bed in the doggy room

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

I don't think it has changed anything. We never considered NOT sleeping together as a family. Or maybe it has brought us closer? We really enjoy getting into bed at night with a baby between us to cuddle together.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

Nothing major. But an elbow here and a nudge there. A few falls too. But no injuries - just a little crying that was quickly soothed.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

If it's a rough baby night, he goes to the couch. If it's a rough baby night, it wouldn't matter where the baby was sleeping, I still wouldn't be getting good sleep.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

No. We used to have a co-sleeper but those are only good for the first few months because they can easily climb out once they get mobile. It kind of served as a shelf and bedrail anyway.
We had a twin pushed up against our bed to make it bigger back when we had a queen size bed. But now that we have a king, we have plenty of room.

Thanks!!!![/QUOTE]

[Itlbokay]

1. Why do you cosleep?

When our first baby was born I just could not see putting him to sleep in a room all by himself. Then it continued because it was just easier, easier at night to nurse, easier for me to go back to sleep, and it was what suited us all best. We all slept better that way.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

We never really made any rules, they have always had their own bed/bedroom and knew they could sleep wherever.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

King size, started with full. DH is 6'4" 200 lbs, I'm 5'1' 110 lbs.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

Before kids, on the bed or under it. Now our dog sleeps in our room or downstairs, his choice....even he knows it just ain't gonna work

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

Not sure, I think becoming parents in general was what changed our relationship, all for the better. Cosleeping was just another parenting choice that came naturally to us.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

Never

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

I can tell you have no children, once you have children you never sleep the same no matter where they sleep. It's just a different kind of sleep than before. My biggest complaint is with DH, he snores and some nights it drives my CRAZY.


9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails? Our bed was really low to the ground when our children were babies. If I recall correctly we put our mattress on the floor after the birth of our second.

Good Luck with your new baby

[dnr3301]

I'm going to answer before reading the other responses so I'm not bringing in other people's ideas into mine, like "oh yeah, that too!"

1. Why do you cosleep?
it's so easy. I sleep better with my family right next to me. I don't have to wake up all the way if someone needs me, I think I get more sleep this way.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
I have no idea. I guess until my kids leave the bed. I'm planning on starting to indroduce the idea of sleeping in her own bed to my 4yo this summer. She really wants to have sleepovers with her cousin, and my SIL and I keep teling them when they can sleep all night without needing a grownup next to them they can have sleepovers. I don't think there is any set age that a kid needs to be out, but I am personally uncomfortable with a teenager sleeping in my bed on a regular basis. I have no problem with any kids of mine, regardless of age, needing to spend some time in bed with me. I'm reminded of a story I heard when dd was about 6 weeks old and I went to a co-sleeping conference put on by James McKenna. He told the story of his 16 yo son coming into their room after a nightmare and crawling into bed iwth them for 5 minutes or so and then leaving. I think that is so sweet, to have your children trust you enough that they will come to you when they are scared, no matter when it is. I hope my kids feel like they can do that with us.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
four of us, me and dh (you need our ages? ), dd, 4, and ds 1.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
we have a king size bed with a toddler bed up against it. Dh is skinny, I am not.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
no pets.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
I don't know that it has changed our relationship, but we used to lounge in bed, talking and making out, on the weekends, and we can't do that so much anymore. But that is more having kids than actually the co-sleeping that put a stop to that.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
Ds has fallen out of the bed three times, but never gotten hurt, just woken up and a bit scared. That's all I can think of.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Better because the kids are with us, I think. I don't wake up much to nurse, dh takes care of dd if she has a bad dream right there, with no one having to get up.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
We have a cradle in the living room where I put ds for naps, but he is going to be too big for it soon, really is right now but I don't know what to do about it. I think it will be easier once we move our bedroom to the main floor (planning on doing that soon, that's when we'll starting noticing that there is a bed in dd's room as well).

[LoveChild421]

1. Why do you cosleep? It just feels right instictually- I don't leave my 1 month old alone for hours at a time during the day why would I at night? Plus I'm paranoid about SIDS and it really helps to just be able to look over and see he's ok- not to mention I'm not fond of getting out of bed 4 times a night to feed him!

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed? For as long as it feels right and everyone is happy- but I do think kids should sleep on their own by puberty

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages? just my 1 month old DS

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP? full size I'm 5'4- 130 and DH is 6'5 160- it gets a bit too cozy at times- DH was smashed against the wall the other night.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep? 3 cats- we close the bedroom door at night- they sleep anywhere else they want

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it? not at all- we just put sleeping DS in the co-sleeper (which otherwise gets no use) when we umm...want the bed all to ourselves not sure what we'll do when DS becomes "aware" and that isn't an option.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt? nope, DH did almost roll over on DS but I woke up just in time and now he doesn't sleep in betwwen us anymore- just beside me.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep? as good as can be expected with a 1 month old

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails? We have a co-sleeper but end up using it as a changing table- he sleeps in bed with us.

[*LoveBugMama*]

1. Why do you cosleep?

I cosleep because I honestly believe that this is a very important part of parent-child attachment. I strongly feel that cosleeping is the very best way for us to sleep.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
As long as my son needs and wants to. A child should be in their own bed from the day s/he wants to and feels ready to be.


3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
We are 2 persons in bed. Me, age 32, and Noah Matheo, almost 4 years old. I share a house with his father. He sleeps in his own room downstairs. Noah cosleeps with his dad during the weekend, and with me monday to friday.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
Umm... Eeh. It`s 140cm wide. But, I have no clue what that is in inches.
I am a big woman. Not tall, just big. (200 lbs)

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
No pets.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
No DP.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
No, never.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Yes, we both sleep great. I am awaken by Noah several times every night, but it doesn`t bother me. It`s just what feels normal to me.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
Nope.

[KnitterMama]

1. Why do you cosleep?
I hate being away from my DS, and cosleeping allows us to spend not only every waking moment, but every sleeping moment together. I love waking up to his sweet little face babbling at me, it's the best most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?
As long as DS wants to and DH lets us. I don't think there is a specific age a child should move to their bed - if they move to their bed at all.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?
Two adults, one babe (11weeks), one cat (9 months), and ocassionally one dog (5 years)
4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?
It's a full size mattress laid on the floor (comfy!). We're both average in size (I'm 130ish and DH is 185ish).

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?
The cat sleeps with us always. The dog usually sleeps in her bed right next to us, but since our bed isn't elevated she's not really *out* of our bed either.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?
Well, we have sex in the livingroom a lot more now. Does that count? :LOL

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?
Just me when I wake up with a numb arm from sleeping in one position curled up against DS all night.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?
Absolutely. I don't think DH's sleep habits have changed *at all* since DS was born. I just wake to latch the little guy on and he nurses while he, I and DH sleep. Very easy.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?
Nope.

[sparkprincess]

Yeah! I love polls. Here goes.

1. Why do you cosleep?

Much easier to nurse! Bonding is great, too.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

I would think around age 2, but we'll see how it goes!

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

Just one, 9mos old.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

It's a queen and we are both small people.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

2 cats and they often sleep with us!

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

It is very cozy for both of us and we love it, but it does make us just a little bit sad sometimes that there is ALWAYS a little person between us.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

Nope.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Not always, but that is due to the frequent nightwaking and nursing.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

Nope. I would like a co sleeper with the next one though.

[Louma]

Cosleeping poll

1. Why do you cosleep?

We cosleep because we get more sleep that way. We tried torturing ourselves with a bassinet beside our bed when dd was little, but I was up and down all night with her. One night when she was a couple of months old, I fell asleep in bed while she was nursing, and we slept through the night. I woke up a new and happier mommy and never looked back.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

I have no idea. I'm hoping to gradually transition dd out of our bed when she's ready.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

Three, dh, dd 9 months, and me.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

We have a king now, but we had queen for the first 7 months. A king is muuuuuch better. DH is 200 pounds, I'm 130, and dd is 23. We have tons of room--enough to scoot dd over by herself so that dh and I have snuggle room.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

We have a small dog that sleeps at the foot of the bed.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

If anything, the family bed has added to our relationship. The family snuggle time is unbelievably sweet and tender. I cherish mornings when dd wakes up smiling and dh hurries back into the bedroom to share the best moments of the day with us. It's probably tmi, but not being able to be alone any time we want to has added to our physical relationship. It adds anticipation to the mix; it's like being teenagers again or something.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

No

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Yes

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

No

[loomweaver]

1. Why do you cosleep?

Easier to sleep and breastfeed, we all get more sleep

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed?

As long as needed, (myDH says by 3 or 4 or when the next one comes...)

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages?

1 DD, 11months and 19 days!!

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP?

Queen size, we are both medium build

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep?

2 dogs, on the floor next to bed

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it?

Not, we actually talk more during family time in bed.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt?

Just my aching back some nights,

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep?

Yes, unless DD is not feeling well

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails?

We started using a crib sidecarred about 2 months ago, DD loves it.

[ombra*luna]

1. Why do you cosleep? When I started it was because my baby (at the time) was two months early and had health issues, and I didn't ever want to put her down, to lie in a crib alone, I just couldn't do it.

2. How long do you plan to cosleep? At what age do you think a child should be in their own bed? I've probably been doing it a long long time longer than I ever planned to, just sort of playing it by ear now. I don't have a specific age for when a child "should" be in his/her own bed - all my kids have had their own beds since around the age of two, but don't always sleep in their own beds.

3. How many are sleeping in your bed now, what are their ages? Our 4-y-o sleeps with us every night (except Christmas Eve when he sleeps w/ big brother and sister the last two years). And the other two (14 and 11) sometimes. The 11-y-o has been in our room a lot lately because of some sleep stuff he's been going thru, he's dealing with some fears and we are open to him being there so he is.

4. How big is your bed? And if you don't don't mind...what size are you and DP? A queen and a twin, pushed together on the floor. He's 6'2" or so, probably 220 lbs, and I'm 5'6" about 160 lbs.

5. If you have pets, where do they sleep? We have only one cat and she sleeps here and there, sometimes in dd's room on the bed, sometimes on the couch. Our old cat (RIP) slept with us sometimes.

6. How has cosleeping changed your relationship with DP or has it? I don't think cosleeping has caused any changes in our relationship.

7. Ever had any problems with anyone getting hurt? No one has ever gotten hurt in our bed that I can remember. Oh wait, I got hurt the other day because I put my knee down on a the very sharp tail of a little plastic stegosaurus, which someone had left in the bed after being asked to take it out, but it was nothing serious.

8. Do you and DP get a good night's sleep? Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. If not, it's more likely to be each other keeping us awake than the kids. If one of us has a bad night, the other will likely also.

9. Do you use anything other than your bed? I mean, like a cosleeper or siderails? No.

My trick is that when the baby is little and likely to nurse a lot, I would cradle her/him in my armpit, and when I had to roll over (either to switch sides for nursing, or just for comfort switching positions) he/she would roll with me (on top). That way I always knew exactly where the baby was and it alleviated dh's concerns of him accidentally squishing the baby, too.