Napping on me together

I had a really rough night. He woke every 45 mins. I got about 1.5/2 hours sleep spread over 12 hours. I was so grumpy and I couldn’t hold him to comfort him as I was falling asleep with him in my arms. So I’ve just caved and had a hours nap with him laid on my chest. I propped myself with some very large cushions so I couldn’t turn or roll. And locked my fingers in round my hold of him so it’s harder to let go. I woke up every time he moved or made a noise but I deffo slept as I dreamed. But now I’m feeling like I made a risky choice just because I’m exhausted. I’m a single ftm and had the same little sleep for a few nights now and I literally have nothing else to give. I had to sleep. But when I put him in his next to me he screams (I think cause his tummy hurts). Laying on me seemed to help his tummy as he did some whopping great farts. I know what sids risk says and cosleeping advice (which I don’t want to do) but did I do something stupid just to sleep?
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my little girls been doing this. i put her in her moses basket and she’ll wake up 10 minutes later and refuse sleep. either that or she’s up every single hour crying wanting to be held. i’ve caved in and held her to sleep because i’m so exhausted with it. last night i had to take her downstairs to the living room and we slept on the settee as she calmed down

I have a 7 week old little boy and what I do is let him fall asleep on my chest then after 10 mins or so swaddle him then put him in his Moses and he is there till next feed. But all little ones are different x

Have you tried co-sleeping in a c curve with him beside you? It’s much safer than chest sleeping. Co-sleeping has such a bad reputation in UK but if you do it safely and within guidelines it actually has minimal risk and can be safer than the alternative because it stops you accidentally falling asleep in less safe situations like you have been.

@Katie we have usually contact napped during the day while I’m awake. Then at night we have 20 mins of upright time cuddles after a feed then he is usually sparko for me to put him in his cot. But the last week or so he can be out of it and screams bloody murder the moment I lay him down after his bottles. I think it hurts his tummy 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Hope I think cosleeping has just scared me as I’m terrified of accidentally hurting him. But I think being this sleep deprived can be as dangerous now.

My midwife always said ‘planning to co sleep is safer than falling asleep holding’. Our daughter won’t co-sleep so there have been occasions when I’ve fallen asleep holding her. I hate it but sometimes you’re so sleep deprived you just can’t help it. If your baby will settle next to you, that would be a better alternative. I would get rid of the duvet and just wear warm clothes

One of my friends has had to sleep with her baby on her chest because their reflux is so awful! It’s not ideal and not the safest but it’s the only way she is able to get any sleep. Even though it’s not recommended cosleepy on Instagram has a blog on how to ‘safely chest sleep’ Please try not to put yourself down! In the end of the day no one is thriving if you aren’t - it’s really hard but it will end! Xx

Ask ur health visitor and try the co sleeping. I hope you get sorted and you both get a good night sleep x

We chest sleep when my baby won’t settle using Cosleepy’s guidance. It feels really safe and intuitive if you’re set up for it

@Laurie what do you normally dress yourself and baby in? Xxx

@Lucy I haven’t done chest sleeping (other than accidentally a few times) but for side co sleeping my little boy is in what he’d usually wear for bed. At the moment that’s a vest, a sleep suit and a 2.5tog sleeping bag. I wear pjs, socks and a nightdress securely tied, otherwise I’m freezing. I’m not sure how you’d adjust that for chest sleeping but maybe if he’s on you, you wouldn’t need the extra layer as you’ll warm each other

I have to cave and co-sleep when I’m alone. It’s safer than me falling asleep unprepared I clear my bed from everything then let her cuddle up to me face to face so she’s nestled in, then ease her off so she’s just asleep next to me

I finally caved and begun co sleeping and I can say it’s changed my life. I was so sleep deprived and crying everyday. I started co sleeping and we both finally got rest and it’s the best decision I made. I know it’s not for everyone but it really changed my life. I follow the safe sleep seven! And we do chest sleeping as well depends on how fussy he is. I found it safer to plan to co sleep as once I fell asleep feeding him and it scared me!

I’m soo happy for you both enjoy the sleep 😂 xx

@Lucy I wear long sleeved well fitted pyjama top (I think it’s an H&M MAMA set so easy to feed in). Baby is in a sleeveless vest and sleep suit.

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