Question for co sleeping parents?

Question

We currently co-sleep with our 6 month old baby but was wondering how other parents deal with daytime naps - where does your baby sleep for these? and for how long? and also what about evenings? What time does your baby go to sleep and how do you get them to sleep in the evening without you? or do they sleep on you until you go to bed? Would appreciate any other helpful hints or tips too. Thanks!

Answer 1

I had massive problems with getting my 3 month old son to sleep.  He would just lie awake and cry for hours, then when he finally went to sleep he would wake every hour or two hours through the night and cry again!  Talk about pulling our hair out .... we were absolutely desperate for sleep!

It was a baby sleep audio program recommended by a friend that finally saved us. We followed the advice and began by creating a baby sleep routine which included bathtime, dimming of the lights, putting Paul into his crib, final nappy change and then lullabies. We also made recommended changes to his naps during the day and used some of the other recommended techniques. Within two weeks he was sleeping through the night most nights with just the odd night where he would just wake once!

Definitely start by creating a good baby sleep routine though and you could find that solves most of your baby sleep problems.

Good luck!

If you want to take a look, the audio program is at http://www.babysleepsolution.com

Answer 2

I personally wouldn't co-sleep thats the only helpful hint I will give you, it causes too many problems just like the one's your experiencing now, you havn't a clue where to put the baby to sleep during the day, evenings, when to put them to sleep and how they sleep without you etc.............way too complicated, my babies were put in their cots from day one and remained there til it was time for their beds, they have never felt the need for us to be in beside them unless they are sick etc

Answer 3

we co-slept with my son too.  for his naps though he always slept alone.  he is 5 now and still sleeps with us at times.  and you know what?  i love every minute of it!  i could give a rats a** what anyone says about that.

Answer 4

eh, s***w the people who like to preach. As long as your doing what you think is right *uck 'em

My son co-sleeps, it works better for us breastfeeding. He goes to his crib when he first falls asleep, it's right by our bed. Then he wakes up to nurse and comes to bed with us after that. He naps in his crib in the afternoon, sometimes he wakes up and I nurse him back to sleep on the couch. I am working on weaning him so I try to put him back in his crib at night but no big deal if he sleeps with us. It works for us, some people obviously it doesnt.

Oh I forgot he goes to sleep around 9pm. I nurse him till he goes to sleep then shimmy him off my arm's into his crib.

Answer 5

I hate to tell you, but you are making a big mistake...sorry..but if you don't put that baby in a bed now..you will never sleep again.  It only takes about 2 or 3 days to get them use to their own bed.  If you put them to bed at 8 pm. then you have time for yourself, which you may not believe you need now..because you want to spend all of your time with this baby.  But let me tell you..one day, you will need time for yourself, and you won't be able to get it because your child will be so spoiled to sleeping with you that you will have behavioral problems. Separation is good for a child..it teaches them independence. Turn on the baby monitor if you are worried, or check on them every 5 minutes..whatever you need to do.  But sleeping with them every day, is not good for you or your baby.

Answer 6

I am sorry but I don't agree with co sleeping. You have time to bond with our child during the day. Yes you love your child very much but what do you think is going to happen when you at some point move the baby into their own bed.  You will have problems.  Children need to have alone time also.  My kids only sleep-ed in my bed when they were sick.  They are happy healthy well adjusted adults today.

Also what have you been doing up to this point with the baby?  6 months old and you are just asking what to do?

Answer 7

I nursed my daughter to sleep for naps and night times for most of the first year.  When she was younger than 6 months she slept in my bed for naps, but after that went to a crib.

She napped from 10-12 and 2-4 for the first year.  

Answer 8

Mine goes to daycare during the day because we work. In the daytime the caregiver told me that he just plays until he gets sleepy then he calls for his daddy then eventually falls asleep. When he gets home, he is fed then I go lay down with him until he falls asleep. At night, we are both in the bed with him and he usually goes before we do. I guess it works out better for us because he is in childcare. But it still doesn't take away from anythig at night. He just needs something to comfort him if you can't, believe me we have sent numerous stuffed animals, books and other things to comfort him while we are away.

Answer 9

When my daughter was that age she also would sleep with us, on my chest during the day if I wanted to rest too, otherwise I would lay her down in her crib if I got lucky enough for her not to wake up when we would lay her in her crib. She is now 18 months and still sleeps in our bed and if I were you I would get your baby used to his or her crib asap. It is not always fun or comfortable sleeping with your child, you need time alone.

Answer 10

HI O DEAR ALL I CAN SAY IS WELL YOUR MAKING A ROD FOR YOUR OWN BACK BY SLEEPING A CHILD IN YOUR BED JUST WAIT TILL YOU TRY TO GET THEM INTO THEIR OWN BED OR OWN ROOM HAVE FUN I'M A MUM OF 4 NAN OF 6 .........

Answer 11

She naps in our bed for as long as she would like. No naps in the evening if possible. She goes to sleep around 9, cuddled in bed with us.

Answer 12

My husband and I are expecting very soon and we will be co-sleeping with a co-sleeper for at least this first year. For the first 3 months my son will nap with me and in his crib, so he gets used to it. After this time, he will be in daycare.

The people on here who are telling you that you are making a mistake need to remember that these are their opinions. Just because you have a home daycare doesn't make someone an expert on sleeping habits for all children, unless they have an MD on the side and have conducted studies on a large cross-section of infants.

I give parents props who are interested in spending this extra bonding time with their children. And if eventually you want to move them to their crib, then you do. Just because moving a child is hard for one family does not mean it will be hard for another, and if it is so be it, you'll figure it out.

Answer 13

I only co sleep in the morning around 5 am when I'm sick of getting up but he naps alone in his room and sleeps in his bassinet in our room at night. I hope to have him in his room all the time and no more co-sleeping by mid-Sept.  

Answer 14

id just like to say to you i have 2 kids who have both slept with me from around 8mths til quite recently and they are 3 and 5 years old now some dont agree with that but im their mum and if that is how they feel secure and safe to sleep then so be it. you do what  is right for you your mum you know best!  

Answer 15

Naptime was on the bed, with mom/dad laying beside them until they fall asleep.  Or, just put down on the bed after nursing to sleep.  Or, just put down on the sofa, on a blanket on the floor in the living room, wherever they fell asleep & it was reasonably quiet.

Nighttime bedtimes, before I was ready to go to bed, worked pretty much the same.  But, mostly, I would lay beside them on the big bed until they fell asleep - usually nursing them.  Then, if I didn't fall asleep myself while they were going to sleep, I'd get up & go on with the rest of my evening.    

Answer 16

He usually sleeps next to me on the couch while I work (on my computer) or snoozes in his swing while I do housework.  We also have a co-sleeper bed from Arm's Reach, which goes right up against the bed, sometimes we put him in there.  Usually he's in there at night because we're super tired and don't want to hurt him.