My daughter is now four months old. She has been sleeping with us almost every night, until recently when we've started putting her in her bassinet and crib at night. I feed her while laying in bed and fall asleep while holding her. She spends up to 4 hours sleeping on my chest without eating. Is this an issue? Will this affect her development, now or in the future?
2006-08-27 03:28:16 · 12 answers · asked by burklinanna 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
No it don't cause developmental problems. Although you have to be careful with an infant in bed with you there are many positives to it. Specially for us breastfeeders. My daughter is 6 months and has slept with me every night. If she was in her bed on two occasions i'm not sure she would be here. I was taking a nap with her and she spit up and started choking on the spit up. I immediatly (from a sound sleep)knew something was wrong by the sound of things. and acted fast.
Then one night she did it and I again woke right up by the sound. Had she been in her room in her crib who knows what would of happened.
My son was also a cosleeper and he has no issues at all. he is secure in everything that he does and knows that mom and dad have an open door policy.
the hardest thing about co sleeping is getting them in their own bed. I did this with my son when he was 18 months and took until he was like 24 months to fully change his habbits.
Both of my children are health happy babies and they get sleep and when they wake or woke up the didn't have to get up out of bed and breastfeed. The just rolled over and latched on. without really waking up. Not only were they well rested but ful of energy to play the rest of the day.
When your ready to have your bed back and ready to remove the baby than that is what should decide whether the baby should be in your bed or not.
good luck and congrats on your baby
2006-08-27 03:41:14 · answer #1 · answered by evrythnnxs 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with those who posted that co-sleeping is fine. I did not co-sleep with my first 3 children, but they didn't mind being in a crib. My fourth child co-slept with me. I found it made a huge difference in the amount of sleep I got. I slept a lot better, because he could breastfeed while I slept. I had more energy to deal with him and my other children, which was better for everyone. We started moving him to his toddler bed around 15 months or so, and he was in it full-time by 18 months. He's now a very healthy, very independent 4 year old.
I am co-sleeping with my 4 month old baby girl, and it's going fine. If you want to co-sleep with your baby and you are taking safety precautions to make sure you're doing it right, there is no reason why you should not enjoy cuddling with her while she's still tiny. They grow up way too fast!
2006-08-27 07:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you are going throw. I went throw that with two of my babies. My little girl was cordey and could cry all day and night, And was only happy when I was holding her, I holder her for the first 6 months of her life. She spleted in my bed every night, Then I found out I was prg again with my son, It took a lot to breack my daughter of being in bed with me.With my son I breast feed him and would fall a sleep while he was eatting, He is now a year old and is still in the bed with me. I have gotton him to sleep at least 4 hours in his crib before he gets in bed with me. I am going throw alot to get him to sleep all night in his own bed. I know that it will be hard to do but she is only 4 months old. That is a good strat to get her in her own bed. It will not affect her un any way. I don't know if I'll every fully get my son in his bed.
2006-08-30 12:11:00 · answer #3 · answered by baby69744 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry because your daughter wants your smell and becoming aware of it.You know what, there is no sign of mental development on that.There are no proven studies regarding that matter.It really matters when a baby sleeps on her mom and have a good hours of sleep.Personally,that incident also happened to me.The effects are:The baby will get closer to you more,she will grow independently and she will feel secure even when she grows up because of the warmth that you have shown her everytime you cuddle her.My daughter is now three years old and still lie on my chest for warmth and love that she still wants to feel.
2006-08-27 03:47:57 · answer #4 · answered by hurting 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At four months is when my Pedi told me to start putting my daughter in her crib, and my daughter took to it like a champ. Some babies like the freedom, and some babies don't. A friend of mine has a 15 month old that STILL sleeps with them, and the only problem is this kid wants nothing to do with having to do things on her own. She doesn't walk, or crawl, feed herself, or anything. So having a baby sleep with you is special and great...but don't let it get out of hand.
2006-08-27 05:31:38 · answer #5 · answered by Queenelizabeth79 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sleep w/ her as long as you can in bed. You are not in any way affecting any development at all. If everyone in this country would breast feed for a minimum of 1 yr. and sleep w/ their babies it would be a better place.
2006-08-27 03:40:08 · answer #6 · answered by neo-liberal ultra conservative 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Her motor development, you mean? Or emotional/psychological?
I can't imagine how it would affect motor development, and I firmly believe that you are helping give your baby a good foundation of trust and security by cosleeping.
It's good for your baby, and good for you- and don't worry, she won't be in your bed forever. Enjoy sleeping with her now, before she turns into the wiggly little bed hog that my 12 month old is. :)
2006-08-27 03:37:51 · answer #7 · answered by kalirush 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is the natural way to care for a baby. If anything she will be a step ahead of babies who are left to sleep alone and/or cry it out. She will grow up happy and secure because she knows that mommy is always there for her when she needs her.
2006-08-27 03:51:55 · answer #8 · answered by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, cosleeping is actually very good for their development. In fact, children who sleep with their parents for 5 years or more are more likely to grow up as calm, healthy adults, according to a recent study.
2006-08-29 10:03:24 · answer #9 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
co sleeping is great! she is probably getting better sleep than she would otherwise. if she will sleep alone, great, but don't stress over it. remember you are her mommy and whatever works for you both, is exactly what you need to do.
they are only tiny once, so enjoy every second!
2006-08-27 05:10:52 · answer #10 · answered by Kelly S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋