Sleep issues - cn co-sleeping be upseting my babies sleep?

[Danaedolly]

I am having some problems keeping my 4 month old baby settled at night. Up until four weeks ago she was mostly sleeping through with a few nights a week waking for one feed. Now she is waking every 2-3 hours sometimes more frequently and the easiest way to re-settle her is breast-feeding in bed - am I being lazy? I dont know why the sudden change but it is starting to drive me crazy particularly now that I am sick and cant get enough rest. Could my smell and noises be keeping her awake? For the first time I am considering sleep school which goes against my current parenting practices.

Any ideas? I love sleeping with her but I love sleeping with my partner too - he is now in the spare room so he can get some sleep.

Any feedback/opinions would be helpful

[the_queen]

Sounds like a classic growth spurt to me. You're not being lazy by feeding her to settle her, not at all. That's the great thing about co-sleeping, mumma gets enough rest and baby gets immediate comfort.

She's in your bed with you, yeah? You could try a side-car, that's what we do. One side taken completely off the cot, and push it up right up against my side of the bed (you can attach it if it easily rolls). Have the mattress the same height as yours (I've got some foam underneath to boost it up to be level with ours). My son starts the night in there, then after the midnight feed he snuggles up with me, and sometimes he actually prefers going back onto "his" side of the bed. We only have a double bed and both me and DH fit in there.

Don't question yourself, and don't compromise what you know is best. You sound like a great mum!! Growth spurts happen, sometimes we don't realise they're happening because we've settled really nicely into the previous routine. The growth spurt will pass and hopefully :fingerscrossed: it'll be back to "normal" again.

:)

[faery]

you also mention that you're sick right now. we cosleep and I have also been sick this week and ds has decided to go back to waking every 2 hours for a feed. it is SO HARD when you need extra rest, and feel terrible. I've put it down to my not being well, and maybe my supply being down a bit so him sucking more often. drink LOTS and LOTS of water.
also the growth spurt thing. it'll pass:hugs:

[sopolicha]

Hang On This Could Get Long................

I jumped on the co-sleeping bandwagon. At first it was DD in her bassinet next to our bed. It is lovely to be so close to them. More often than not when she woke from 2.00am onwards I would take her out to another room and feed her there and fall asleep until others in the house got up.

At around the 4 month mark, we kicked her out into her room in a cot :crying: . I was still doing the early, early morning wake and sleep with her in another room. This went on for a bit and I said , bugger this getting up and moving, lets bring the cot back into the room to sleep with us. I took the side of the cot and pushed it up against our bed. A few days later it was to the point where she would not sleep unless my boob was in her mouth. I got completely and absolutely bejiggered. I have two older children and I could see myself starting not to function properly.

Anyway, I got a midwife/lactation/nanny person to come around to tell me what to do. She told me, I cried, I did what I paid her to tell me to do. IT WORKED. I know have a happy, smiling baby who sleeps for twelve hours at night. I have my bed back, everyone is happier.

I can not lie, the first night was uncomfortable, but looking at her now, I know I did the right thing.

[Danaedolly]

Thanks everyone - I feel better now! Amazing what a bit of support can do!:)

Growth spurt is a good point - I hadnt thought of that - mainly because it has been going on for about 4 weeks now. And her sleep is getting more and more erratic each night. Already have side-car set up but havent been able to move her over yet - definite laziness on my part! She think it is a great game whenever I put her in the cot - kicks around and giggles even if she was sleepy baby 5 seconds before. Been drinking huge amounts of water so no problems there.

I am with you on the not sleeping without a boob in the mouth situation. I feel like we spend most of the might attached in that way.

I think maybe the idea of a midwife/lacation consultant type of thing could be good for us at this point. Anyone have contacts for someone who might come to me? Im not convinced my baby is getting enough milk from me - insecurities again!! Maybe time to start solids? She is only 4 and a half months. I wasnt planning to start for at least another 4 weeks.