Calling all moms! Did/do you co-sleep?

[JenBKR]

I know that in a lot of societies, parents co-sleep with their babies, and that it's more of a western idea to have babies in their own rooms. So, I was just wondering what you guys do or did. Any co-sleepers here?

We are currently co-sleeping with Ty, although it didn't exactly start out willingly. A few months ago he was not sleeping and so miserable, and we tried everything else, but it seemed to be the only way that any of us could get any sleep. I have to admit it now, I enjoy it.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

We've been co-sleeping with Nathan literally since the day he was born. I'm a huge fan of co-sleeping. I know it's not everyone's preference, but I personally wouldn't have it any other way. We plan to let Nathan self-wean from co-sleeping and he's showing no signs of wanting to do that yet. I've read that most kids self-wean from co-sleeping between 2 and 4 years old.

[pomtzu]

No - never. But then, I'm from "the old school", and that's pretty much the way it was "way back when"!

If I were young and just starting a family now, would I co-sleep??? Nope - still wouldn't do it.

[sparks19]

Nope I don't.

I would never get a wink of sleep. hannah is a noisy sleeper and I can barely sleep while sharing the bed with my husband lol... I can't imagine adding another body to that bed. I need my space when I sleep.

Hannah always did and still does really well in her crib. when it's time for bed or for a nap I take her in to her room, give her a kiss, turn on her aquarium, cover her up and leave and she's usually out within 5 minutes. sometimes if she doesn't want to sleep right away she just sits in there and plays for a little bit until she falls asleep.

I have had her in my bed a few times. when she was really little and couldnt' go anywhere I would bring her in when Brian left for work and she slept on his side of the bed. Also did this if she was really sick.

But now? forget it. She was sick a few months ago and just couldn't sleep so we went downstairs to sleep on the air matress. YA RIGHT lol. all she wanted to do was jump around and mess with me lol so much for being sick. so she went back to her crib and she was out in 5 minutes pain in the butt lol

[Sonia59]

When Valentine was younger, I sometimes did it in the second part of the night, ~ from 4:00 am to the morning because I was breastfeeding her (and I still do) and I was too tired to stay awake. We fell asleep together and she was finishing the night in our bed. I also did it a few times when daddy had to wake up very early for his work and woke her up by making some noise.
But I was sleeping very bad, I was scared that she could fell or would be hurt (daddy is moving a lot when sleeping!) and everyone was sleeping but me!
Except these few times I avoid doing it because I want her to get used to sleep alone in her bed. She uses to fall asleep in my arms in the evening. It is something many people would not recommend, I know, but that's the way it is. When I am not here, e.g. at the day care, she can sleep alone, so I know she can do it! But I don't want to add this habit to co-sleeping.

[Cookiebaker]

I started out co-sleeping but it didn't work very well for us. I had really hoped to make it work, but it just didn't. So I settled for cuddling her to sleep every nap and nighttime. And then when she was around 13-14 months, she decided that she had enough of that and wanted her crib...she would squirm and wrestle me until I put her down. So that's what we do...she goes down in her crib wide awake, and is out within 3-4 minutes usually, no fighting and no crying so that makes me very happy!

[carole]

Yes i did it with both my children, and don't regret it one little bit, worked for us.,one child is 27 now the other 16 and half and both are fiercely independent., however i did it more with my younger child.,infact she slept between us for some years until she was about three on and off, so many said it would be so hard to finally get her into her own bed, they were proven wrong, when she was ready ,she did and never looked back, she was the same with potty training.

[Medusa]

No - never. But then, I'm from "the old school", and that's pretty much the way it was "way back when"!

If I were young and just starting a family now, would I co-sleep??? Nope - still wouldn't do it.

Ditto.

[Twisterdog]

No, not intentionally. Actually, I've never heard the term "co-sleep" until now.

My son slept in his crib until he got old enough to try to crawl out, then I got him a toddler bed. He went to bed every night in his own bed ... and woke up every morning in my bed. Sometime during the night he always came and got in bed with me. When he got a little older it stopped, he wanted to be a "big boy".

[Marigold2]

I also think mom & dad need some alone time together every night to just cuddle and reconnect. How do you manage that if a kid is in bed with you?

[sasvermont]

I appreciate everyone's choice in this matter.

If I had a child, I am sure I would allow it in bed with me from time to time, but on any given night, it would be put to bed it it's own bed and room. I have friends who have allowed their children to sleep with them - and I don't think they have done the children any favors. Not to mention that parents' not getting quailty sleep. I think everyone needs their space - kids, parents etc. Everyone!

I can remember wanting to crawl in to bed with my Mom (parent's had twin beds) and from time to time, she would allow it. I never lasted long because I wasn't comfortable! There wasn't much room!

I vote for sleeping in one's own bed!