Worried I'm starting a bad habit

[CollegeMama]

It seems to me that my babe now rarely can get to sleep and stay asleep on his own. Normally he falls asleep on my chest and I basically hold him all night. I started this so that I would be unconsciously aware of his presence at night so I don't hit, kick or otherwise hurt him while I sleep. I'm a big mover at night - at least I was pre-baby- so I assume I still am.
Anyway, when I get up early in the morning I always wake DS up when I try to get up and get dressed. Of course then he wants me to play with him or hold him to get back to sleep. But I have to get dressed. DH is always asleep because he works nights and doesn't get unwound from work until about 3 or 4 a.m. so he can't really help there.
This morning I didn't know what else to do, so I put him in his johnny jump up thing as I was getting my breakfast and lunch ready. Then, I had an extra 10 min. so I was able to lay back down with him until he fell asleep and by some miracle he actually stayed asleep so that I could leave.
Well, I'm rambling but is this a bad thing to have started? Should he be learning how to sleep on his own?
DH is starting to talk about taking him to his crib at night. I told him no way until I stop nursing. So, when that happens, is he going to have a terrible time getting to sleep since he's used to sleeping with someone?
Don't think I can convince DH to have a family bed forever.

Marcy

[mamaduck]

I don't know -- I tend not to look at sleep issues like this as "habits." I look at more like "doing what I need to to get through the night." If it is something you can gently change, then maybe you should try. If it is something that seems nec. to keep baby happy -- then it is something that he NEEDS, and you'll only be stressing yourself (and him) out to try to change.

It is unfortunate that husbands can be so simple minded about sleeptime. Mine too -- "You need to just teach him to sleep in a crib." He didn't seem to understand that it is not that simple! So I kindly invited him to try, and after a few nights he gave up!