Am I teaching Meadow a bad sleeping habit?

[amyandelle]

Ok so we were at my SIL's yesterday and she asked me if Meadow is sleeping through the night. I told her that I think Meadow would be sleeping through the night if I didn't switch sides with her which sometimes makes her stir and then nurse. My SIL (who was not being judgemental and did BF both of her children) told me that I am creating a bad sleep habit for Meadow but partially waking her when she would not wake on her own to nurse.

Now Meadow is only 4 1/2 months old and she does sleep really well so nursing her in the middle of the night is not something that disturbs me at all since I will just latch her on and go back to sleep.

The reason I move her is because I have a bad back and I get stiff in the middle of the night. I have to move her because I don't want her sleeping next to Elle until she gets a little older.

So, what do you think?

Amy

[bornbythesea]

A baby that young needs to nurse in the night, and it sounds like you are doing what you need to do for you all to sleep comfortably. It's possible that she doesn't wake fully because she doesn't need to, as her needs are met already.

[SweetPotato]

When my dd was that young, I switched sides during the night as well (also to avoid stiffness and stay between her and my lumbering dh) She's now17 mos and has nights when she sleeps a lot and nights when her sleep is more disturbed-- but I think it has more to do with teeth than with habits! I agree that rousing slightly to nurse might be part of what's keeping her from having to wake more fully to alert you that she needs to eat-- I'd go with the flow if it'sworking for you all now.

[KrystalC]

I have a hard time sleeping on one side all night as well, so I move my son to the other side. Like you, he doesn't fully wake, but will latch on and go right to sleep. I don't see anything wrong with it, and I agree with other posters. I think he would probably wake at least once to nurse, but doesn't have to because I latch him on when I change sides.

[DigitalSuze]

I do this all the time -- my back would be killing me if I didn't switch sides!

[alegna]

It's fine. Ignore moms and nay-sayers.

-Angela

[georgia]

IMO, not at all. A bad habit is totally a matter of opinion. I think what you're doing sounds totally great! Works for y'all...end of story

[stacey2061]

i did the same thing with DS for so long and i often wondered if i was creating a problem, but i can confidently tell you not to worry. DS is 15 months old now and sleeps amazingly soundly for his age ~ just keep going with the flow and things will be fine

[Miasmamma]

DD is 10 months and I switch sides all night long. She doesn't wake up, and my back and hips get a break. When I tried not switching sides, I could hardly walk in the morning b/c I hurt so bad.

[joyfulmomof1]

We switch often too. I wouldn't worry about it. I think people put too much stock in sleep "habits" for babies and little ones sometimes.

[Jessie'sMom]

I don't switch sides at night. Partly because I don't wake up or remember to do so and partly because dd will awaken totally and I don't want that. When I get up in the morning, I can't walk and sometimes it lasts for awhile. I see my chiro often.

So...I'd much rather remember to switch sides at night, FWIW.

[katt]

I don't change sides, but I doubt he wakes all the way up to nurse. He starts to root in his sleep, I pick him up and latch him on. Sometimes I put him back on the bed after he's done, sometimes I hold him till he wants to nurse again, then I just roll him off me, onto his side, and latch him on that way. Either way, His eyes are still closed and he doesn't cry.

[lilyka]

it may be creating a bad habit. but sometimes they can't be avoided. if t ebds up a habit that needs to be broken then so be it. really it is a pretty small thing. its not like you are waking her up to party she goes right back to sleep. if she were to start waking fully and ready to play then i would be worried about breaking habits. switching sides once or twice a night kinda goes with the territory. if you can't nurse on one side all night then you can't. its gotta wake her less than getting up to nurse her switching sides and laying back down with her . . .