Bourn Sisters
posted in Mum StoriesIt has suddenly dawned on me that we are co-sleeping. Having woken up with a toddler in between us for a few months now, we are probably slightly in denial about it.
I don't think my partner and I would ever describe ourselves as co-sleepers. It's not something we ever thought we would do, but it's really not so terrible. Co-sleeping gets awful press but it can be rather lovely, especially if it means you all get a good night's sleep!
Must read: Photo series shows how to co-sleep safely
My 21-month-old daughter has never been the best sleeper but she has improved as she's got older. She had been sleeping through the night in her own cot in her own room for quite some time. Recently she has started waking again in the early hours of the morning, usually around 2am. We have got used to having sleep again and can't remember how to survive without it. As a result we have opted to bring her into our bed.
Some people think co-sleeping is lazy, but I don't see what's wrong with choosing the easier option? She always starts off in her own bed so maybe that makes us semi co-sleepers?
We had co-slept with her before on holiday out of ease and sometimes if she has been unwell but never night after night like we have been doing for the last three months. Looking back I kind of wish we had done it sooner because if we had we would have had a lot more sleep!
From day one I had always got it into my head that co-sleeping wasn't a good idea. I had heard people say things like "if you let them in your bed you'll never get them out again".
Until six months old my daughter slept in our room. We tried to put her in her Moses basket which she hated, she generally would end up falling asleep in our arms but we always tried to put her in her own bed which usually lasted around ten minutes! We used to take it in turns to lie awake and hold her. It was exhausting!
When she moved from her Moses basket and into her big cot I was quite sad. I missed her in our room, but she did sleep much better in her own room with the help of her 'sleepyhead.' I was still breastfeeding on demand and she still woke fairly regularly. I would settle her back to sleep and spent lots of time in and out of bed. Looking back now if I we had co-slept I would have had a lot more sleep, but I was so determined to make sure my daughter slept in her own bed.
So now I think do what you need to do to function and don't feel guilty if co-sleeping is the only way to get a good night's sleep. A super king size bed means some nights we don't even notice she's there. Of course there are those nights where she kicks us in the back and turns horizontal and her 6ft 7in father is hanging off the edge desperately afraid he might fall out of bed and wake her with a bang! There are also those nights when she tries to rub our skin off with her little fingers in an attempt to soothe herself. But those nights are followed by a lovely cuddle and a little voice saying "wake up mummy...wake up daddy".
And those mornings are my favourites! We are all happier for our semi co-sleeping situation and we are all getting more sleep.
Love Mallory x
Not a fan of co-sleeping - neither is our blogger Helen Goddard. Read her account of it here.
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Co-sleeping is a topic that divides parents because of concerns around the safety of your child. Whether you do or don't, flick through the current sleep safety guidance:
If you'd like to talk to others about sleep issues, you may find our community group helpful. If you have a poor sleeper - then you are guaranteed sympathy in this group!
If your baby isn't settling at all - check out this content page on Sleep Training. You need this in your parent armoury!
Share now for other parents who may be co-sleeping too (and also in denial)!
Are you a fan of co-sleeping?