Don't rule it out. (Bed Sharing)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Bed Sharing
Date:	28/01/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You can get some rest and your baby is comforted.

Disadvantages: If it goes on too long your baby can get used it and not settle.

This is probably the one thing that every prospective parent says that they won't do and I was no exception. There was no way I was going to have my little baby next to me in bed. Apart from the obvious concern of 'What if I roll over and crush it in the night?', I knew that it could affect my relationship with my husband because if you want to keep a marraige going then sex is a really important part and it's going to be ten times harder doing that when you've got your little one lying next to you cooing away.

The time came when I gave birth to my son and all of the above went out of the window. I was just so tired that I didn't have the energy to keep getting him in and out for feeds. Some nights I'd have every intention of putting him back in his moses basket but I ended up falling asleep with him still in my arms. Eventually I worked out how to feed him lying down and I'd fall asleep with him next to me. I was aware that my hubby slept a lot deeper than me so put a pillow in the middle of the bed just incase he did roll over and squash him. Once the night feeding settled down a little I ended up putting him back in his Moses basket or cot without fail and he had no problem making an adjustment.

When I had my second son I was more relaxed from the start and I was aware of the fact that I didn't want to spend the night up and down tending to him and during the day have absolutely no patience with my elder son. From the very start he was in with us. It wasn't all the time and he was happy to settle in his crib when I put him in there. When he was in with us he slept really well, only waking once in twelve hours from the very start. After a while I realised I wasn't sleeping so well and made the choice to put him in his crib every night. There were no teething problems and he has slept well ever since.

I think if it goes on past a certain age then it can become a problem because a child gets used to it. In the beginning when you are so tired then I don't actually think it hurts unless you are so highly strung that you know you won't beable to rest properly if you do have your baby next to you.

From a baby's point of view I do feel sorry for them. One minute they are all nice and warm in your womb hearing your heart beat every second ad the next they are expected to settle in a wicker basket with a mattress thats as thin as your aunties knickers. No wonder they sleep better when they are cuddled up close to their mum because that's what they are used to. The poor things are made to grow up too fast.

If there's one thing that I've learnt after having my boys is to not rule anything out and that includes bed sharing. I know all the health professionals don't recommend it but if it gives you some rest and your baby some comfort then why not do it for a short space of time until they get used to the new world that they been thrown into? I would just recommend that you don't do it for too long or you might find that you little one won't settle in a cot or they may need you next to them until they fall asleep. Also you could end up having problems when they are old enough to go in a bed because they may end up getting out and creeping in next to you.

Summary: Don't rule it out mummy and daddy.