We Cosleep. And we love it.
Truthfully, this wasn't exactly planned. Elliot's daddy and I had talked about cosleeping when we were pregnant, but then we found out about Elliot's condition and Aaron left for Korea. Every time we talked, we talked about gastroschisis and sonograms and doctor's appointments and our upcoming life in the NICU.
Then Elliot was born, and he spent the first six weeks of his life in the NICU, where we didn't get to do the things that most parents get to do with their newborns. And suddenly, six weeks later, he was home- and EXTREMELY constipated and cranky. The only way he would sleep was on my chest or while being held, so I started bringing him into the bed with me.
Almost a month later, he still sleeps with me every night. I have to say that I absolutely love it. At first, I was worried that I might roll over on top of him or something, but that thought never even crosses my mind anymore because {even though I'm asleep} I have this super-sensitive awareness of where he is/what he is doing at all times. It's hard to describe. I usually wake up the minute he starts squirming or rooting, which is wonderful because he doesn't fully wake up or start screaming, meaning we can both go back to sleep the minute he's finished his bottle.
Lately he likes to hold onto my shirt and bury his face into my neck while he's sleeping. It is so precious. There is nothing quite like falling asleep with your son cuddled up to you, breathing in that delicious baby smell, and listening to his rhythmic breathing. It's blissful.
For some reason, I always felt like I should be making up excuses or trying to get him to sleep on his own, like there was something wrong with it. But you know what I realized? Sleeping with your child is the most natural thing in the world. Why should I hide it? Cosleeping just works for us- plain and simple. I wouldn't change it for the world.
And you know what, while I'm at it, let's get it all out there in the open:
1. I believe in attachment parenting.
2. My son has never "cried it out" and he never will.
3. We formula feed. I struggled to breastfeed for eight weeks and {for many reasons} it didn't work out. I'm just now starting to be okay with it.
4. Our son is intact.
5. We cloth diaper and we LOVE it!
Some interesting articles I've found about cosleeping:
7 Benefits of Cosleeping
Ten Reasons to Sleep Next to Your Child at Night
Sleeping Safely with your Baby
I love co-sleeping as well! :D
ReplyDeleteHi de-lurking here. We co-sleep! I can't remember now, but someone told me the story of a doctor working with a more primitive culture, where baby wearing and co sleeping are not only normal but pretty necessary, and they women they asking if western women really "made their babies sleep in cages." If you think about, isn't that what we do with our babies and their cribs? I don't think there's anything wrong with crib sleeping, but there's also nothing wrong with co-sleeping. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteOver half of the world's population cosleeps by necessity. :) I'm sure they would be shocked to find out what most americans do, lol!
ReplyDeleteWe plan on co-sleeping as well :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough since our bed is hardly big enough for my husband and I, I plan on getting one of those Arm's Reach co-sleepers for next to the bed. So it can work for anyone!
I really hate when parents feel like they need to make excuses for how they raise their children, and I have done it too, but I think if you are happy with what you are doing then it is the right thing for your family. I coslept with my daughter until she was almost 8 months old, and at that point she started totally taking over my side of the bed and pulling my hair every time she woke up so she's been in her own bed since then. I really loved my time cosleeping with her, and I miss her being there. Unfortunately she is also crawling and so mobile now that neither of us sleep when she's in the bed. Enjoy the time you have with him while you can, you can never get it back later.
ReplyDeleteYay. I knew you would be an AP mommy. I'm so glad you're doing what your instincts tell you and being confident in yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteI was the one that said I would never bring my daughter into bed. And now..she's been sleeping in our bed from almost day one. It's what works for us and makes everyone happy. And I totally understand being super sensitive to what is going on around, even though you are asleep.
ReplyDeleteWe co-slept for the first 5 weeks and I LOVED it!! I totally support your decision to do it. And you're right about the awareness when your baby is in your bed. I never had any worry about rolling over onto Bennett - I knew that would never happen. It's like a 6th sense kicks in when your baby is with you. :)
ReplyDeleteI love cosleeping :) My baby will be sleeping in bed with me during my hubby's deployment. It's going to be rough getting her in her crib after a year of sleeping with mommy. lol
ReplyDeleteTo each his own - good for you for proclaiming it and loving it! Yayyy! I bet it helps especially since your husband is deployed now! :)
ReplyDeleteGO MOMMA!
ReplyDeleteLol, we co sleep to and its wonderful!
Good for you! I'm excited to continue to learn from you. Hopefully I will have a little one of my own to do these things with soon enough. :)
ReplyDeleteWe also cosleep and we love it!
ReplyDeletePreach it, Mama!
ReplyDeleteYay! We co-slept until our son was about 4 months old too. Now he's in his own room but I still bring him in sometimes and we nap together often during the day - or he sleeps in his ergo. I agree you sometimes feel like you have to defend co-sleeping but it is so natural and just feels right. I miss my cuddles now but he was just getting too squirmy in bed and we both sleep better with him in a cot. Enjoy your cuddles and keep up the great blogging!
ReplyDeleteYay for co-sleeping! I did with both my babies (am still doing so with our daughter) and I wouldn't change it for the world, I love it too much.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't tell you how much I love 2. on your list! :)
i love this post. i also feel like i have to "explain" to other moms my reasons for co-sleeping, and cloth-diapering and why we can't breastfeed( baby has tongue and sucking issues) ....but i shouldn't have to explain my choices for my child to people i hardly know. and don't get me started on " crying it out". i've had people i literally don't know, tell me that i am going to ruin my baby girl by not letting her cry it out at night. at the time this person said this, my baby was 3 weeks old. in my opinion letting a 3 week old cry it out is cruel. i love attachment parenting :)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl, high fives!
ReplyDeleteWe ended up co-sleeping with Marshall for the 1st month and a half. That was the only way he would sleep so I figure go with it. Anything to get my baby to sleep works for me! He naturally transitioned to his basinette and I have to admit I was a little sad when that happened :(
ReplyDeletewe co slept for like 6 months...no prob, she turned out A-OKAY :]
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are good at following your instincts, and that's a very good thing. You know what's best for your baby better than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteAll of these comments are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome to see so many other co-sleepers {or former co-sleepers}. I have no idea how long we'll continue to sleep this way but I imagine at least until my husband comes home. Luckily I have a king sized bed so if he gets really squirmy... maybe I can just kick him to the other side. lol. :)
And for the record... I don't think there's anything wrong with crib-sleeping. I just think every mama should do what feels best/works for her.
I've been following your blog since your little man was born, but this is my first time commenting :)
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing hearing someone talk about how they parent without being preachy. You should take great pride in the choices you've made as a parent and from your blog it seems like you are doing a great job!
We are also a cosleeping, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, ap family with baby #3 on the way :)