The co-sleeping divide
Is it safe? How does it affect your relationship with your partner and other children? How do you break the habit when the time comes? All these points and more have been raised by iVillagers on both sides of the co-sleeping divideIt just happened that way
'We were up nearly every hour to feed, so we started co-sleeping as it was about the only way I could cope. We still co-sleep and I have no idea how to stop. It wasn't something I planned to do from birth but it was comfortable for us (hubby included). We're happy to carry on for a while but wonder how we will eventually break the habit.'
sarahchurchill
It's a good transition period
'I'm co-sleeping with my daughter on a mattress on my bedroom floor. It's big enough for a co-sleep cuddle, but once she's off to sleep I hop into my bed leaving her where she is. Then I'm not worried about her rolling around and falling out of my bed. For me it's a good transition until I tackle transferring her into a cot.'
net1970
How I stopped co-sleeping
'If you're co-sleeping and want to stop, maybe you could try the 'pick up put down' method? Feed your baby to sleep and then put her in her cot. When she wakes crying, pick her up and comfort her until she stops crying, then put her down. As soon as she cries pick her up and comfort her then put her down when she is calm. And repeat until she falls asleep. This is how I got my daughter to settle herself to sleep (she's eight months old). She occasionally wakes in the night, but she's cutting her second tooth at the moment. It may take a few fraught nights to make the breakthrough but it is worth sticking with.'
helan_fisher
Different babies have different needs
'As long as you're happy with co-sleeping and you feel safe for your baby, it's fine. Personally I found with my first daughter, especially when she was tiny, that I slept really lightly and woke every time she snuffled or moved. I also slept with her tucked into my tummy, breastfeeding, and my underside arm was curled over the top of her. I had the pillow sideways on, so only my head was on it, and I had the quilt pulled down, and just a nappy on her. It worked out really well especially after many tears and endless sleepless nights in those tough first few weeks. She slept with us till she was about three. She's very close to me now and I think it's a wonderful bond early on.
I haven't co-slept with my second daughter because she slept fine on her own from the beginning. Different babies have different needs - some like my first daughter need to feel close to you all the time - even at eight she hates to be in a room on her own, she loves company!
If co-sleeping solves a problem, then so long as it's done safely, it can be wonderful.'
ruthfrow
If it ain't broke...
'I think that as long as you and your partner are comfy with it and baby sleeps better - therefore you all get more sleep - then how can it be bad?'
clare1016
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