Do you/Did you sleep with your baby?

Question

It seems like so many people sleep with their baby b/c "it's easier to nurse that way" I nursed and I didn't sleep with my baby. I know 2 different people who suffocated their baby by sleeping with them. That was enough to scare me away from it...not to mention the drs and specialists telling me how dangerous it is. So why is it that people continue to do it knowing that it's dangerous? How would you feel if your baby died of SIDS? Does anyone else know of this happening to someone they know?

Answer 1

I did not sleep with my baby, because I wanted her to learn how to sleep independently, and because it was safer for her, most importantly. People who choose to do it are heeding the warnings. It is their own choice to do that. Not the best choice, but certainly their own. I say, let her/him sleep alone in a safe place like a crib or bassinette, and help reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, etc,.

Answer 2

I didn't sleep with my baby's because it was easier to nurse. I never slept with them in the same bed. I did sleep with them on the couch while they slept on my chest for the first few days after we came home from the hospital. And a few months ago my son man was having a hard time and would not sleep so we slept like that again.

Answer 3

SIDS can happen in the crib too, as for me My daughter is 11 months old an we have co-slept since day 1. And yes it is easier to BF this way.

If people would just read about "safe sleeping" then they wouldnt have to worry at all.

Answer 4

I did sleep with both of my daughters, but I slept on the couch, there was no way I could roll over on them, I am also a very light sleeper, and when I was young, my younger sisters used to climb in my bed so I am really used to sleeping with "little ones" After reading these answers I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else.

Answer 5

Hold on there, don't be so quick to judge. FYI cosleeping has been proven to DECREASE the risk of sids providing there are no fluffy extras on the bed. Both of my babies slept with us until they were four months old, it is completely natural. Where in the world do you think mothers kept their babys before cribs and bassinettes? Right there, safe and sound beside them. Babies need their moms and it is unnatural for them to be seperated for such a long period of time when they are so young. Also I would like to tell you the only person I know who's baby died of sids was my aunt who was rocking her baby to sleep when he stopped breathing. She did all she could cpr, 911, and nothing worked. It just wasn't meant to be. If its going to happen it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing.

Answer 6

I nursed and didn't sleep with my daughter. There would be times we'd take a nap together on the couch, but that was very rare. Working with babies I also know people who suffocated their babies while sleeping with them. I didn't think any chance was worth it.

Answer 7

Hmm. . . how to answer honestly without getting fanatics all in a tivvy. Well, first I have 3 children, girl age 12, boy age 7, girl age 7 months. They have all slept with me from the beginning. My eldest because she was my first and I couldn't stand to part from her, she slept with me until she was 3. My son because he was not a good sleeper, fussy, and HAD to be by me and his father from the moment he took his first breath. My youngest because now I am older and know how easily they can quit breathing, I know how very fragile they are and I felt more secure with her in bed with us. Now don't let me fool you into thinking this is all roses and candy kisses. I am a light sleeper especially when I have a baby so I don't ever quite hit the REM sleep that would enable me to roll over and we take precautions regarding that sorta thing. However, let me point out this warning, if you do allow your child to sleep in bed with you make sure that are boundaries, don't make them dependent, etc, because my son is 7 and still wants to sleep with mommy. Never mind his very expensive captains bed or superbly decorated room. He is a momma's boy and it's been very rough trying to get him to sleep in his own room especially since his father and I split. I've decided not to push it and he'll go when he is ready but I am disappointed in myself because I have created a weakness in my child and as a parent it is my job to make sure that they are strong and independent. Sometimes after a late movie night we will all sleep in the bed and it's great, we are closer than most families and my kids aren't growing up too fast like most are these days but I just wish I had did it a little differently with my son so he wouldn't "need" to sleep with me but "want" to sleep with me. My 8 month old is still in bed with me and will be until she is a toddler when she can tell me if someone is in her room or something is scaring her. But she does sleep in her bassinet and playpen sometimes for naps or part of the night if she falls asleep there. I learned from my son, the hard way of course! LOL.

Answer 8

I slept with my babies in my arms as I thought they would be safer and it was easier to feed in the middle of the night. However after hearing new research from the sids foundation I would have them in a cradle next to the bed. I have heard of this happening, that is after mine were older and was really shocked

Answer 9

I slept every once in a while with my son. I had to sleep with him a few nights because we stayed in a hotel. He had a partition that he slept in so I wouldn't roll on him. I would never sleep with him at home unless I had to. No, none of my friends or relatives have died from SIDS.

Your email is set to private--so I will reply to your answers here. I don't believe you read my question fully or possibly misunderstood it's meaning. Yes, I think it's wrong for people to have children if they cannot afford insurance. Government assistance is there for people who need it for a while--not years and years. I understand people who have their children as a surprise. I understand people who have had a loss of job. I do not understand why a person would get pregnant just to get on Medicaid or just because they want a child. I think that's sad. Why go on government assistance when you don't have to? Why choose to go on government assistance? The people who TRY to get pregnant for the reasons listed above, I feel are sad. It's sad that a person can not wait a few years until they are better prepared financially before they have children. I feel bad because they are put in the situation--but I think it's even more upsetting that they put themselves there by choice. I have been on Medicaid (for two months) I got off of it when I figured out another way. I used the system to which I was paying for--only for a few months, not years. I don't feel it's necessary. I hope this clarifies everything. I apologize if you feel it was rude.

If you would like to contact me please refer back to my question or contact me through the listed ways on my profile.

Answer 10

I never slept with my baby. I kept the cradle at the end of my bed. I knew one woman that suffocated her baby when she fell asleep nursing her on the bed. She was never the same.

I don't know why people sleep with their babies. It is just common sense.