Hellobee Boards Topic: Co-sleeping: how do you do it?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Co-sleeping: how do you do it? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:33:47 +0000 Mrs. Superhero on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-376189 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 01:00:31 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 376189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I hated when people told me to just bring TG into bed with me. It didn't work, she got all excited to see us and wouldn't sleep! Now that she's older she has slept with us a couple times when we're away from home. Wonder Baby is more snuggly and nurses a lot more at night, so she has ended up with us on rough nights. I think it's a personality thing. MsMini on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-376183 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:31:51 +0000 MsMini 376183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @junebugmama: I didn't start really co-sleeping with Sawyer until 3 months old. When he was really little and swaddled I didn't think it was super safe. Once he was able to wiggle away and we stopped swaddling we started bringing him into our bed. junebugmama on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-376127 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 23:04:39 +0000 junebugmama 376127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My way sounds similar to @lisa1783. At 3 days old, I was exhausted. I pulled him into bed with me. He lays on his side facing me and usually nurses to sleep. I sleep on my side with my arm straight out over his head. When he is done nursing he usually will put his head on my breast and use it like a pillow. LOL. By reading everyone's posts it seems as though the people who are doing it successfully are the ones who have always done it this way. glimmersnaps on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375996 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 21:17:43 +0000 glimmersnaps 375996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We've co-slept from night #1 and that's how we like it. In the very beginning he would sleep on my chest and then after a month or so we would nurse in a side lying position. For several months he would continue to sleep close to me and would wake up and nurse if he wanted. (I wear pull-down tops.) After 9 months or so he started rolling away from me after dozing off. This is what he still usually does. So it's nurse to sleep and then he rolls over and sleeps. Also we can nurse on either boob without me having to change sides. If he wants the top one I can just roll onto my stomach a little. (It took me months to figure this out lol!) In order to accommodate for 3 people in the bed, we pushed our bed next to the crib with only three sides. He has never slept in a room by himself. Here's a photo of how it looks. [attach=2713/12/mcw3pk.600x450.DSC09937.JPG] Mrs.M57 on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375879 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:46:23 +0000 Mrs.M57 375879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I sit up and nurse her in bed, once she's asleep I move her right next to me, and she will usually fall asleep on her side curled next to me. When she wakes I scoop her up, nurse and move her back to the side! We would be completely sleep deprived if dd didn't co-sleep! Clementine on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375816 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:49:21 +0000 Clementine 375816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For first 3 mos, we would put the baby in one of these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B00012CHFI" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B00012CHFI</a> in between us. Then as he got older we just put him in between us and I nurse him and he sleeps by my chest. MsMini on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375751 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:53:59 +0000 MsMini 375751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ He loves sleeping with us, when he was little he slept on his side, with his head tucked in my arm and his body stuck in my armpit (LOL) now he will sleep between us, but he always wiggles around until he is wrapped around my boob. sarac on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375735 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:48:15 +0000 sarac 375735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For a few months my girl slept between my husband and a wall and he'd just hand her to me to nurse. Sometimes between us. Then we moved her to a floorbed in her nursery and whenever she wakes he goes and snuggles her back to sleep. If he falls asleep then he just stays the rest of the night with her. JoyfulKiwi on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375622 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:32:06 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 375622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Oh, it sucks that LO doesn't like being in the bed - co-sleeping is the only way we get through most nights. We have an Arms Reach co-sleeper like @mrsjazz, which DS sleeps in until around 3am. After that, he usually has an upset tummy/gas/is straining to poo, so I bring him in bed b/c it calms him. DH or I will lay on our side, with DS on his back tucked up against us. I angle my pillow so I can rest my arm/head on it and put the other arm around DS's body. Other times I fall asleep sitting up, with DH on my chest after nursing/burping. The hardest part is keeping covers away from DS, but still staying warm while we sleep! Springtime on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375614 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:25:15 +0000 Springtime 375614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't know how other co sleepers do it but I will bring LO into bed with me in the middle of the night and he will sleep with his head laying in the crook of my arm, he loves it. If I get too uncomfortable or if he starts squirming we switch to the other side and he goes back to sleep. I never wanted to co sleep but its the only way we have all been able to get sleep the past 3 months. But like others have said I don't think it's for all babies. Honeybee on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375609 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:19:11 +0000 Honeybee 375609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The kid's slept between me and mesh bed rail, on my left side, with my right arm holding them close to me. I usually laid on my left side, with my right arm under my pillow. When they would fuss, I'd kind of wiggle them in bed and shush in their ears. After the first week or so, I didn't even wake up to do this; I'd wake up already wiggling and shushing, lol! ETA: I had to the vigorous bouncing (more like jogging/jumping in place!) when they were little, to put them to sleep. After a few months I moved to rocking to sleep first. DD was probably 18 months before she would just lie and fall asleep with me (I still had to pat/rub her back), and DS (7 months) still needs rocking first. So I have never been successful with putting them into bed (ours or theirs) without putting them to sleep first. yoursilverlining on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375399 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:49:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 375399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Our LO sleeps between us in bed in this co-sleeper: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B00012CHFI/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_y" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Secure-Sleeper/dp/B00012CHFI/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_y</a> It has sturdy sides so I never worry about rolling over on her. LO usually calms right down as soon as we get to bed, but if she fusses, she will always calm down if we hold her hands. On the weekends I like to nap with LO and then usually we just lay in bed together, me on my side with my arm around her. She still prefers if I hold her hand though! mrsjazz on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375392 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:47:55 +0000 mrsjazz 375392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @lisa1783: I co-sleep the same way. We do have an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper that LO used to go down in at bedtime and then when she woke up in the middle of the night I would bring her into bed with me. At 6 months her sleep is regressing and that sucks! So, we can't seem to even put her down without a major fuss. I feed her and she falls asleep in my arms and then lay her down in the middle of our bed. If she wakes up I lay down next to her until she falls asleep. She kicks me throughout the night! Nskillet on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375366 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:43:02 +0000 Nskillet 375366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I only did it a few times out of sheer exhaustion. Once DH was away overnight so I just removed her bassinet insert from her pack and play nursed her to sleep an then moved her to it beside me. It rocked when nursing and exhausted with a newborn. Other times we've been on vacation and she just curls up on her tummy on my chest. I usually sit up and bed hog out of paranoia! I've always been a nervous co-sleeper! Which is why DD went to her crib very early! Mrs. Pen on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375361 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:42:11 +0000 Mrs. Pen 375361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would side nurse him to sleep, and he would usually sleep curled up next to my chest. I would usually sleep on my side with my bottom arm under my head/pillow. Occassionally I would sleep with his head resting in the crook of my arm. He never required motion to fall asleep though - just boobs! lovehoneybee on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375352 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:40:01 +0000 lovehoneybee 375352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @lisa1783: That's how and why we co-sleep. Most nights nursing him to sleep is the only way I can get him to sleep. He'll sometimes nap in the bouncer, but he hates the swing or being rocked. If he's in someone's arms he wants to be up high, held vertically, and able to look around. (With a few exceptions when he's fallen asleep on someone's shoulder). So usually around 10 I give him a bath and nurse him to sleep in bed (with my Kindle or phone so I stay awake) and then when he's out I move him to the bassinet at the end of the bed. When he wakes up at 4-5am to be changed and fed I bring him back to bed and he nurses back to sleep/I sleep. Night nursing (well almost all nursing, but especially at night) tends to make me very very sleepy, so I'd rather fall asleep nursing him (he can and regularly does suckle for close to an hour) in bed than sitting up in a chair. lisa1783 on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375320 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:32:35 +0000 lisa1783 375320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I started co-sleeping out of pure exhaustion when my LO just wanted to nurse FOREVER and I was falling asleep with him in my arms. Pretty much I lay on my side and he lays next to me and nurses from me just by turning his head. I keep one arm under my head and the other arm around him. But my LO can only fall asleep while nursing so I think that's why cosleeping works for him - if I didn't have the boobs I don't think he would enjoy cosleeping as much. Weagle on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375318 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:32:13 +0000 Weagle 375318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The only time we've been successful is when we both fall asleep while nursing. That's been less common though as she just wants to play all the time! erwoo on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375276 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:23:08 +0000 erwoo 375276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Same here. I've tried (swinging and jiggling too!) and they just don't like it. Oh well. I'm totally okay with it b/c I can't sleep when either boys are on our bed. I can't even get used to my dog sleeping on our bed anymore which is why she's been sleeping in her crate beside our bed for 4 years now. winniebee on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375271 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:22:49 +0000 winniebee 375271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've never done it (have tried). My son never took to it and just thinks its playtime when he comes in bed with us (5.5 months) heffalump on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375261 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:20:11 +0000 heffalump 375261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think some babies are just different. My LO isn't into cosleeping either. If we're in the same bed she thinks it's play time, not sleep time. Mrsbells on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375227 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:11:13 +0000 Mrsbells 375227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ sometimes When I bring LO into our bed I would place her on her boppy between me and my husband. Or I place her on a pillow between us. if i keep patting her back (while she is on her side) she will fall asleep. somtimes she likes grabbing my arm while she falls asleep or shoving rubbing my face. I have been doing this a lot lately because now that she h as turned 6months her sleep is terrible! brownie on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375213 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:08:09 +0000 brownie 375213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We didn't start cobedding until he was 6 months old. He could roll over and lift his head so we felt safer with it. We started by nursing and I would fall asleep. He would just be Curled up with his head on my arm. Now as a toddler he moves a lot more but we still nurse and snuggle. mrs. wagon on "Co-sleeping: how do you do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/co-sleeping-how-do-you-do-it#post-375191 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:00:19 +0000 mrs. wagon 375191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ On rough nights, out of desperation, I have tried to co-sleep with both my babies, but alas, the only way they would stay calm and fall asleep was in our arms as we were standing and swinging them back and forth while jiggling them up and down at the same time. (Sweating like crazy.) So many people have told me "just bring them into the bed with you".... I've tried, trust me!! I've even tried sitting up in bed with them in my arms, swinging and jiggling like crazy, and they still hated it. I had to be standing and doing major cardiovascular activity. So I'm so confused as to how co-sleeping works!!! Where do you sleep? Where does baby sleep? How do you hold baby while sleeping? Are they soothed just by you being near / touching them?? I wish this was an option for us on those rough nights!!!