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Q:

What are some strategies for transitioning my baby from a bassinet or bedside sleeper to co-sleeping in my bed?

Hi everyone,

I am a new mom to a 4-month-old baby boy and have been using a bassinet next to my bed for him to sleep in at night. However, I have recently been considering trying out co-sleeping as I have heard that it can help with bonding and make breastfeeding at night easier.

I am wondering if anyone has any strategies for transitioning my baby from the bassinet to sleeping in my bed with me. I want to make sure that it is done safely and that my baby is comfortable.

Also, any tips for making sure my partner and I are getting enough sleep while co-sleeping would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

All Replies

beatty.shaniya

Hello,

I want to share my experience of transitioning from a bassinet to co-sleeping with my baby. Initially, I was apprehensive about co-sleeping as I was concerned about safety. However, I eventually decided to give it a try after reading up on the topic.

To make the transition safer and more comfortable, I invested in a co-sleeping bassinet that was easy to attach to our bed. Throughout the night, I gradually moved my baby closer to me until he was sleeping right next to me. I also made sure that the mattress was firm and free of any loose bedding or pillows.

What worked well for me was following a bedtime routine that helped signal to my baby that it was time to sleep. This included dimming the lights, lowering the temperature, and playing soft music. It was also important for me to nurse my baby as he fell asleep, which allowed him to feel secure and helped me relax.

I found that co-sleeping actually helped my baby sleep better as he was comforted by my presence. It also made nursing at night a lot easier, and I felt like our bond grew even stronger.

Overall, transitioning from a bassinet to co-sleeping may take some time and patience, but it can be done safely and allow for more restful sleep for both you and your baby.

gwen.collins

Hello,

I completely agree with User 1’s advice on easing your baby into co-sleeping starting with daytime naps. My personal experience, however, was different.

I went straight into co-sleeping with my baby and didn't have him sleep in a bassinet beforehand. I found that this worked best for my family as my baby was a restless sleeper and constantly waking up every hour or so when he was in his own space.

To make sure that my partner and I were able to sleep comfortably and safely while co-sleeping, we invested in a co-sleeping bassinet that attaches to the side of our bed. This allowed me to breastfeed easily at night and ensured that our baby was close to us while also being in his own safe sleeping space.

However, it is important to note that co-sleeping and bed-sharing are not the same thing, and that bed-sharing can be dangerous if not done properly. Make sure to follow safe co-sleeping guidelines, which include a flat and firm surface, removing any pillows and blankets, and placing the baby on their back to sleep.

I hope this helps and good luck with your transition to co-sleeping!

leanna.lindgren

Hello everyone,

I want to share my experience of transitioning my baby from a bassinet to co-sleeping. At first, I was nervous about the safety of co-sleeping and didn't want my baby to become too reliant on having me nearby. However, when my baby was about 6 months old, I began to consider co-sleeping as an option.

To make the transition, we started co-sleeping for morning naps only. Gradually over time, we co-slept for longer periods throughout the day, such as for afternoon naps and even for nighttime sleep.

We used a co-sleeping bassinet that allowed our baby to be next to us but in his own separate sleeping space. This helped me feel more comfortable about the decision to co-sleep without worrying about accidentally rolling onto him in the middle of the night.

To ensure a safe co-sleeping environment, we also removed any loose blankets, pillows, or other items from the sleeping area. Additionally, we made sure that our bed was pushed up against the wall and that my baby slept on his back.

Transitioning to co-sleeping allowed me to bond with my baby and made nighttime nursing and care much easier. And the great thing is that over time, my baby learned to sleep on his own in his bassinet next to our bed.

Overall, co-sleeping was a positive experience for us, and I would recommend it to other parents with an open mind about what might work for their family.

johnpaul.kertzmann

Hi there,

I can share my personal experience with co-sleeping with my baby. I found that transitioning from a bassinet to co-sleeping was easiest when I started with naps during the day. I would lay down with my baby on a firm mattress with no pillow or blankets around us, and we would both take a nap there. This helped my baby get used to sleeping near me in a new environment.

Once my baby got comfortable napping with me, I started trying it out for nighttime sleep. I made sure that our sleeping area was free of any potential hazards, such as pillows or loose blankets. I also placed my baby on his back to sleep and made sure that he wasn't too close to the edge of the bed.

For me, co-sleeping ended up being a great way to get more sleep and bond with my baby. However, it's important to do what feels right for you and your family. Good luck with your transition to co-sleeping!

becker.jovan

Hello everyone,

I want to share my experience of transitioning my baby from a bassinet to co-sleeping. Initially, I was hesitant about co-sleeping, but eventually, I realized it was the best option for me and my baby. I would advise talking to a doctor to understand different perspectives on what practices to follow for co-sleeping safely.

To make the transition, we invested in a co-sleeping crib that attached to our bed. Having a safe space dedicated to my baby helped ensure that he was sleeping next to me without any risk of me rolling onto him.

To make our bed safe for my baby, we used a firm mattress, removed all pillows, and added a single light blanket that only went up to his waist. We also made sure our bed was pushed against the wall, and I slept on the outer side of the bed, keeping my baby in the middle.

What helped me through the transition was a consistent bedtime routine that signaled to my baby that it was bedtime. I ensured he was well-fed, burped, and then kept him close to me, so he felt secure and loved.

Over time, co-sleeping helped my baby sleep better, and it also allowed us both to form a strong bond. Now that my baby is a toddler, he has learned to sleep on his own, but I cherish the memories of co-sleeping, and I am grateful for the benefits it brought us.

I hope this helps anyone considering the transition from a bassinet to co-sleeping. It may take some adjustments, but with patience and a focus on safety, co-sleeping can be a great way to bond with your baby.

zdurgan

Hi there,

I can share my personal experience with transitioning from a bedside sleeper to co-sleeping. To make the transition, I would bring my baby in bed with me for a little while in the morning to cuddle and bond. I would also nurse him in bed at night and let him fall asleep there, then move him back to his bedside sleeper.

Over time, I slowly increased the amount of time that my baby slept in bed with me until he was fully transitioned to co-sleeping. It was important to me to follow safe co-sleeping practices, such as having him sleep on his back, removing any loose blankets or pillows, and not having him sleep too close to the edge of the bed.

I also found that having a co-sleeping pillow helped with making the transition. It provided a safe space for my baby to sleep next to me while ensuring that he couldn’t roll off the bed. Additionally, I found that this allowed me to get better sleep as I didn't have to worry about whether or not he was safe.

Overall, transitioning from a bedside sleeper to co-sleeping was a smooth process for us, and it allowed us to bond and sleep better. I hope this helps, and good luck with your transition!

uhammes

Hello everyone,

I can share my personal experience of transitioning my baby from a bassinet to co-sleeping. Co-sleeping was not something I had considered until I faced some health issues after delivery that made it difficult for me to get in and out of bed. So, I started co-sleeping by necessity.

Initially, it was difficult for me to get comfortable with my baby in the bed, and I found myself sleeping on the edge. But over time I found the co-sleeping experience to be an incredible way to bond and sleep better.

To ensure our safety while co-sleeping, we bought a firm co-sleeping pillow that works as a barrier preventing my baby from rolling off the bed. We also removed any loose blankets and sheets, and we kept the room at a comfortable temperature.

I found that co-sleeping improved the quality of my sleep as I could tend to my baby's needs easily, and I also found it easier to breastfeed at night, which has been a bonus for both of us.

I would recommend anyone thinking about co-sleeping to follow safe co-sleeping practices and give it a try to see if it can work for you and your baby. It can be a beautiful way to bond, and it's essential to prioritize everyone's safety when pursuing it.

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