How often do you sleep cuddled with your baby...?

Question

Mostly directed at co-sleeping parents -- do you sleep with your baby in your arms regularly? Always? Never?

Thanks for all the answers. For all the info out there on co-sleeping (*I* definitely don't need to be convinced of its merits and safety), you never read much at all about the cuddling part, and I got curious as to how common it was...

Answer 1

Every single night, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Answer 2

I fit into the "sometimes" category.

In the beginning for the 1st month or so, we had a very sick baby on our hands and she slept primarily on mine or my husband's chest. We slept on the couch with her, and took times rotating as we were scared to both sleep in bed together with her. Right around 4 weeks, colic kicked in and she was only happy in a swinging motion. Rocking was not "strong" enough for her so we had to have her sleep while she could in her swing. She had so much trouble getting comfortable at that point, so there was even a time at 3am we put her in a large beachtowel (the sides came up high so she couldn't roll out) and each took and end and swung and swung. That wasn't co-sleeping but we were working together to get HER to sleep ;-) That (the colic) lasted until about 10 weeks or so. Now, the status is she goes to sleep in her crib and tends to sleep pretty well the 1st half of the night. Around 3-4am she wakes and wants us. What works for us is at that point we bring her into bed and we all sleep well. The fear of rolling on her/hurting her is out the window as once we learned how instinct takes over you know you are safe all together like that. Is was a 1st time parent thing. I don't know if I will continue to co-sleep "part time" but it works now and she looks so cute in our bed, asleep, with her arms thrown over her head.

She never looks that content in her crib.

Answer 3

My son sleeps in a co-sleeper next to our bed and when he wakes up to eat [around 4am] I feed him and let him fall back to sleep between my husband and I. I usually sleep with my arm around him for about an hour or so. I'm a very light sleeper now that I'm a mommy, so I don't have to worry about my husband or myself rolling over on him.
He is 5 1/2 months and we have done this since birth.

Answer 4

My babies (twins) slept with us from birth. My son slept best on Daddy's chest until he was about 3 months old. My daughter always slept curled up next to me (and usually nursing - thank goodness for cosleeping). As they got older, sleeping patterns and arrangements changed, but they still sleep best cuddled up next to me or my husband. I've loved sharing a family bed, and can't imagine having my children alone at the other end of the house. Enjoy!

Answer 5

For the 1st month I was so afraid of SIDS that he slept on my chest every night. Until he was around a year old he slept in bed with me and he would get in bed with me at night if he was nursing and sometimes I was to tired to put him back to bed. Now he pretty much sleeps in his bed for the most of the time. If he has a nightmare I still have an open bed policy. It works for us and he is almost 2.

Answer 6

When I do want to snuggle with my son, I don't sleep with him directly in my arms- he sleeps between my husband and I propped on a pillow and I sometimes put my arm around him, but most of the time he just likes our heads touching while we sleep. It is the cutest thing ever. I love co-sleeping and would do it every night if I could.

Answer 7

I used to fall asleep on the couch with my daughter on my chest, that lasted until she was about 5 months (she got too heavy!) Once she was close to 1 year she started sleeping with me and still does. She'll be 2 in a few months.

Answer 8

I sleep with her in my arms on the couch when she has trouble sleeping or is sick. She is 1 1/2 now. I didn't do it as much when she was younger because I was very paranoid of SIDS. But now, she is older and stronger, so I say why not. If it gets me and her some sleep, I'm a sleeping on da couch!

Answer 9

I sleep with my children every night in my arms. two boys one on the right and the other on the left. I feel this brings us closer together. I have two older children 21 and 16 did not sleep with them al all only when they were sick. We have a good relationship but not the same as my last two.

Answer 10

I usually do once a week or so. This seems to work well on the days she's particularly fussy and doesn't want to go down for a nap. Gives us both the opportunity to cuddle and get a couple good winks in!

Answer 11

I did for the first six months of his life. It was such a wonderful experience. No, I did not roll over on him. No, he did not suffocate. Co - sleeping is perfectly safe when the proper precautions are taken. He slept quite safely in the crook of my arm.
My son rarely comes into our room now, but he knows he is free to do so whenever he wants. He's living proof that a child can't be spoiled by human contact. I love the early morning cuddles, so I don't mind at all when he does choose to stay in our bed.