we still have our 6 month son co-sleeping with us.?

Question

we are happy with the situation and try to do it as safely as poss but am getting increasingly frustrated at family members and friends telling us "its dangerous" and" he will never sleep in his own bed"etc.I have a daughter who also co-slept and true enough we had trouble getting her into her own bed.when would the best time to start weaning him into his cot.[bearing in mind i breastfeed and he wakes 3 times a night to nurse]

Answer 1

Trust me...I know exactly what you mean! My belief is that if you and hubby are both okay with it, you're fine! A 6 month old won't be rolled over on quietly and by now you both are probably pros at staying in your space. We coslept with our first until she was 15 months old and with our second until he cut out his night feedings. I can't remember when exactly, although he still came to our bed in the middle of the night if he woke up until recently, and he's two.

It is a constant real fear that you could roll over on your baby, but if you've been doing it this long you probably aren't a heavy sleeper (neither my husband or myself are) and breastfeeding has probably helped with that!

When it is time to transfer to the crib/playpen/big boy bed, I would suggest a new pillow or lovie stuffed animal. (Our son got a new bedset and a little monkey) and a few nightlights. A direct line to your door and for the first few months, don't hurry him back to his room if he wakes up, tell him what a good job he did staying there all this time and let him snuggle up til morning. This helped my son...my CLINGY son. With my daughter we did Crying it Out. It was so sad, she was smaller....and honestly, the only reason we did it was b/c I was preggers and gettingup and down to go potty was rough on me AND her! She sleeps well and she's four now.

The decision as to when is up to you. If you're comfortable with it, I would continue until night feedings are done, it makes it sooo much easier!

You're doing a great job! Good luck!

Answer 2

I am so happy for you. Being a mother is a hard job proud of you. Now your baby can sleep with you if you take proper care of were you sleep and were the baby position at. Letting a baby sleep with could be danger. My aunt still has her daughter in the bed with her and shes three years old now. Just add a pillow on the other side of your baby so the baby want roll over or fall. You and your husband should sleep in the middle. So I hope this helps just keep asking you family for advice and listen also ask your doctor as well. Peace

Answer 3

Personally I couldn't have done it. But each and every person is entitled to their own decisions. I do think that the longer you leave it the more problems you will have. Has your son started solids? When your baby is doing well with solids you can start to cut night feeds out - that may help. I just used to go and get my daughter then put her back to bed.

You have to do what is right for you and your family. I found that our bed was my husband's and I only real space together now and that is why I don't do it. If you are sick of people telling you what to do don't tell them about your co-sleeping!!

Answer 4

I say find a new circle of friends - ones that support you like friends should. And, tell your family to buzz off. I'm sure you aren't so rude as to tell them how horrible their parenting skills are. You've been through it once and know what's ahead. This is an informed decision.

I don't think you should NOT talk about it. This is your family and this is how it works, nothing to be ashamed of at all. I'm sure you have seen great benefits with your daughter (and your son). I'd concentrate on the positives when speaking to family.

There are also some support groups for families that co-sleep. Check them out, I googled it and found a few in my area. But, we couldn't co=sleep my son always wanted to play and thought we were climbing toys. ;o)

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with a 6 month old baby sleeping with you. However, he would be more comfortable in his own crib. When he is sick, he should be kept close to you so you can watch him. Yes, small babies do wake up often at night to nurse, so he should be within close proximatey of your bed. I would say that the only danger of him being in your bed is if someone happens to roll over on the baby by accident, he could be hurt, or suffocated. it doesn't hurt to sleepp with your baby up until he is about nine months old, though you do risk spoiling him from sleeping alone.

Answer 6

You know what I tell people whenever someone says stuff like that? I say that only here in North America, co-sleeping is a big deal, but everywhere else in the world it is normal and people have done it for many centuries and they are fine. A lot of people don't even have the luxury we have here in having a separate room for their children.
There is no right or wrong time to do this, it's really up to you and what makes you feel comfortable. I know a few people who co-slept with their parents til they were toddlers and they are just fine.

Answer 7

I used to hear it all the time too, but the fact is that unless you are smoking, drinking, or doing drugs (legal and illegal), it's much safer to co-sleep. My son is almost 17 months and he's still in bed with us. People stopped harassing us months ago. I keep the attitude that I am better informed, and they usually sensed that and felt stupid. I often explain that not only is it safe, but it's much better for my son's security, and in Asia co-sleeping is commonplace, look how it has effected them.
Do whatever you're comfortable with and don't let anyone else's opinions sway that. You're his mother, and your instincts are usually right for your baby.
People are the only species that think that the baby needs to be in a different bed/room than the parents. Does a mother lion make her cubs sleep outside the den? No animal does, just us.

Answer 8

I have many friends that have co-slept for what people told them was 'too long'. We never co-slept, but had our baby at the side of the bed in a pack- n- play. My advice would be to start a bedtime routine like we do. At dinner time, we feed baby food, then do bath, then give her a bottle and lay her down, asleep or not. If she is awake we read her a book from the side of the crib, then (this is the tough part), we let her cry for 10 or so minutes between feeding (breast or bottle) until baby falls asleep. It sucks, but its worth it!

Answer 9

You could always not tell anyone, and quit when you feel comfortable. I started putting my baby in his crib for naps when he was 2 months old, he's 4 months now and sleeps in his crib for naps, and I put him to bed in his crib at night and bring him to bed with me after his first night feed (which is when I go to bed). I'm not quite sure about "breaking the habit" as mine is only 4 months right now, but he seems to go back and forth quite nicely. Maybe that would be a good start?

Answer 10

My son slept in bed with me up until 6 months. He was doing too much rolling and scooting around so I had to let him sleep in his crib. I am a single parent so him sleeping with me didn't intefere with anything. I didn't have a problem with switching him. When he took naps I always laid him in his crib so it wouldn't be strange for him. I just told myself it was time for him to start sleeping alone and I did it. I think it was harder for me than for him.