A Letter to New, Co-sleeping Parents

[PurpleButterfly]

Thank you, ladies, for the kind comments and wonderful stories/feedback. I wrote that letter almost five years ago and now have a new little dovie in my bed, our 3 yo dd.

Newleaf, forgive me if you've already posted for help, but if not, please do so (outside this thread please - but within the nighttime parenting forum) and we can offer whatever experience or encouragement possible. Generally, if sleep is miserable, it's going to be miserable regardless of location, and worse if a child is feeling isolated.

And yes, waterbeds are not something I would ever co-sleep on, definitely not safe for an infant. Also, pregnant bellies do indeed require rolling but I guarantee you it's WAY worse on a waterbed! Ask your hubby for an early childbearing gift and pick out a nice firm new mattress! Also, if your hubby is so worried about SIDS, he should read the studies showing it is LESS common in co-sleeping infants than infants sleeping alone in cribs.

THis is a wonderful letter. I am so glad I read this. I am new to the formal concept of AP, but have been practicing by accident for a while and the co-sleeping thing was the only thing I had reservations about, UNTIL...dadadada... I read this! Yeah! this is awesome! This really put things in perspective. I will only have DD for a short time, and that time is precious! Thank you thank you!

[Codi]

THANK YOU!!!!

ANd btw, the same exact thing happened to me with my ds. He had vomited in the middle of the night and I awoke to look at him laying on his back choking. There is no way that would have happened were he in another room.

[momofsuper6]

It is very encouraging to new mommies, to have this kind of support! I was alone when we started more than 17 years ago. All 6 of our children co-slept with us and 2 of them were on apnea machines and we were woken multiple times to revive them! Funny still... We all live in a house under 800 sq feet and all still share a room but most of the children sleep in beds with siblings now. Not only does it foster a bond between parents and child, but between siblings as well!

[crmmom]

I also said that I would never let my kids sleep in my bed, but that was before I had my sweet boy. Now I can't image trying to sleep while he is at the other end of the house. I love being able to open my eyes in the middle of the night and see him laying there and know that he is alright.

---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------

Prayer...lots of prayer! My husband sometimes questions my AP style of parenting. He is old school and hasn't had alot of experience with kids. I am finding that through prayer and watching my example, he is coming around on alot of issues.

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Futureadoptivemom

I really like that letter. I've been contemplating co-sleeping if its what my adopted children will need it. I just asked my husband what he thought and he's not for it. He feels like it makes the children scared over time. Like scared of the dark or scared of monsters because they never had to learn to be "on there own". Raising children from Foster Care may need exactly that security that they aren't alone. Any suggestions on how to speak to my husband about this?

I forgot to post the quote first. My reply is actually above this. Sorry

Thanks for your insight! I've just started co-sleeping again with my 1-week old son and I love it! It's good to read about the benefits of co-sleeping with older kids too!

[PurpleButterfly]

Originally Posted by Julie

Thanks for your insight! I've just started co-sleeping again with my 1-week old son and I love it! It's good to read about the benefits of co-sleeping with older kids too!

Oh! It seems like just yesterday my lo was one week old...time really does fly! Snuggle that sweet boy up and enjoy him, mama! And congratulations!

Thank you for this! Was starting to question having my 4 month old daughter co-sleeping with us still but this helped remind me why we started doing it in the first place!

Thank you for this!

I am getting so excited about co-sleeping with our little one when he gets here.

[PurpleButterfly]

Originally Posted by Melodicwanderer

Thank you for this!

I am getting so excited about co-sleeping with our little one when he gets here.

Looks like it will be here before you know it! What an exciting time for sure!

[alwaysHis324]

This is awesome. I was just talking about co-sleeping and the benefits with my df. He was saying how he'd never really heard of it before he met me. (a lot of my younger siblings coslept with my parents. My 10yo brother still does at times)

Anyway, I came browsing this forum today because he was asking me what the benefits of co-sleeping would be. I felt I needed more responses then "so I don't have to get out of bed to feed the baby when they wake up at night."

This sticky was the perfect resource.

Nobody is going to slip in and abduct our child while we sleep unawares in the room nearby

I have a fear about this very thing (that little boy in Alberta was abducted and returned during the first two weeks of Molly's life, this is probably why) and I have to say, co-sleeping helps me not to focus on it!
Beautiful letter, thank you!

What a wonderful blessing. Thank you so much for sharing. I am a co sleeping mom of now two boys. A toddler (2 and a half) and a 4 month old baby. Add my hubby and it is a very full queen bed. I am such a huge advocate of co sleeping. It has been such an amazing experience for my family. The first 2 months I didnt cosleep with my first cuz he was a 4lb preemie and I didnt feel comfortable. As soon as 2 months rolled around and I did it out of desperation he slept through the night, at 2 months!!! And has ever since. Bedtime is a very special time. Days are hectic and caotic for all of us but bedtime becomes a special time to reconnect with momma. A time where my wild toddler sits down for the first time all day and just cant get enough cuddles and kisses. cosleeping brings comfort to mom right along with baby, knowing your babies are safe right there beside you. And what better then to go to sleep to new baby smell and soft skin? Its magical. the last thing that I would tell new moms (and dads) about co sleeping is dont worry about your love life! Mine hasnt slowed a bit, and having to be more creative if you will has even made it hotter. When your kids and safe and secure and your well rested since they sleep through the night theres plenty of energy for fun with your hubby. I know its an important thing to my hubby to cuddle with his babies after working all day. Its been so wonderful for our family. Id encourage everyone to just try it.

[sunflowermom]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[NurseKristie]

Been bed sharing the whole way. I think I would have gone crazy by now if we didn't sleep together. I have a baby that needs a lot of touching and nighttime is a time for him to recharge. Hospitals really need to get on board with this! I hated putting him down to avoid a scolding. I finally just ignored them!

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