Hello All,

Occassionally we co-sleep with our DD 19mths. This is when she wakes during the night unsettled, teething or unwell. I'm more than happy to do this and so is DH! I find though with her sleeping in between us that she doesn't settle as well as the times I have slept alone with her on a mattress and I'm thinking she is a little squashed and needs the space. So was thinking I would get a bed rail for my side of the bed so i can be in the middle and give her a little more room. My question is has anyone else done this? Thanks all smile

Hi there

I use a bed rail as I prefer to have dd on the edge rather then in the middle. I have found it to be really useful! We got ours on ebay, here are some you could look at.
http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=bed+rails&_sacat=See-All-Categories

All the best!

i co-slept with my first i just pushed our bed up to the wall and climbed out the end every morning bed rails are ok but u need a longer one as there is the chance of them wriggling out i mostly sleep on my 21 month olds bed with her and her rail hope you find a solution smile i do know of a friend of mine who put a double bed mattress on the floor in her daughters room and sleeps in there with her most nights and shes 4 years old guess it depends on space and what you like to sleep on

I co-sleep with my 17mth old daughter, have done so from the age of 10weeks. I first had her in a 'my first little bed' as I was terrified that I might roll on her (I've been single since leaving my daughters father when she was around 9.5weeks). When she grew out of the little bed (which really was a Godsend!) I have used a bedrail. I did have one on both sides of the bed, but now just have it on her side of the bed, as I know she won't try to get out of bed if im not awake (YET!). When she was sleeping without a rail, she never fell out, or really even came near falling out, but I didn't sleep very well fearing she would, so I just put it back for her, peace of mind for me!

Just a question though, I don't have any problem with the fact that I co-sleep with my daughter, not ashamed of it at all, but why does it feel to me like it is 'frowned upon'? I have always gotten a great nights sleep because my daughter always felt safe that I was nearby, yet a lot of people think you're strange for co-sleeping. What's the deal with that?

Just a question though, I don't have any problem with the fact that I co-sleep with my daughter, not ashamed of it at all, but why does it feel to me like it is 'frowned upon'? I have always gotten a great nights sleep because my daughter always felt safe that I was nearby, yet a lot of people think you're strange for co-sleeping. What's the deal with that?[/size]
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Is it frowned upon? Maybe by our parents generation. IMO, you sleep, she sleeps = happy times.

[quote name='Mikki_E' date='29 July 2010 - 12:56 PM' timestamp='1280404615' post='2761227']
Just a question though, I don't have any problem with the fact that I co-sleep with my daughter, not ashamed of it at all, but why does it feel to me like it is 'frowned upon'? I have always gotten a great nights sleep because my daughter always felt safe that I was nearby, yet a lot of people think you're strange for co-sleeping. What's the deal with that?[/size]
[/quote]

Is it frowned upon? Maybe by our parents generation. IMO, you sleep, she sleeps = happy times.
[/quote]

Just some raised eyebrows i've received when I say my girl sleeps in my bed with me, some people can't believe it! Like when I went into St Vincents to inquire on donating my daughters cot, and getting it picked up (she'd only really used it to play in, had a couple of day sleeps in it when she was younger), the lady said 'so she is in a big-girl bed already'. When I replied I don't use it because she sleeps in my bed, she just looked surprised and said 'oh, does she???' .

I agree with you though, we both get a good nights sleep, so it works for us!

Hi again,

Thank you all for your advice & ideas! I have considered putting the bed against the wall and may still try that, thanks! I have used a mattress on the floor too but our room is very small and really only just enough room for the single mattress. I know what your saying about getting funny looks or comments about co-sleeping. I think its everyones choice what they do. I think its sweet that you co-sleep with your daughter. I know that my DD thinks bed time is a bit of a game so only settles if she comes in during the night, she will not sleep if put in our bed straight off and I am glad she has her own little bed but am more than happy to share ours when she is unsettled & unwell.I find co-sleeping is a more effective approach with my DD than trying the controled crying or anything just to keep her in her own bed especially when she isn't in our bed every night maybe a couple of nights a week when teething so she isn't relying on it. I think its a wonderful experience being all snuggled up together & i am happy knowing my DD can come to us for cuddles anytime of the day or night. I feel everyone does what works best for them and as you say you sleep - she sleeps = happy times

Thanks again smile

What a good idea! I will definitely be looking to it now - hadn't considered before despite DS sleeping in our bed every night for the past 3 weeks or so.

I think people are funny about it only because they know that it could be difficult to get bub out of your bed once you let them in. My doctor told me the sooner we get him out, the better, only to confess her DD aged 11, still shares her bed (and with her husband).

What a good idea! I will definitely be looking to it now - hadn't considered before despite DS sleeping in our bed every night for the past 3 weeks or so.

I think people are funny about it only because they know that it could be difficult to get bub out of your bed once you let them in. My doctor told me the sooner we get him out, the better, only to confess her DD aged 11, still shares her bed (and with her husband).

As far as I'm concerned, she can stay as long as she wants! If she said a year down the track she wanted to sleep in her own bed, so be it, she has her own bed and bedroom already (although I think I would get lonely at night without her, hehe). I really have no intentions of having a man in my bed anyway, at least not until my girl is a lot lot older! She's in my bed for the long haul, if she wants! It's quite funny though, my daughter has 3/4 of the double bed, and i end up lying on the edge with just enough to lie on. i love it when im lying there, and my girl rolls over and puts her little arms around my neck as she sleeps, i feel soo loved, hehe.

i dont do it occasionally if they are really sick they have come in with us but thats only happened a hand full of times after shes thrown up or something i dont find a problem with it if you both get a good night sleep then thats great, if its what you want to do thats great im sure alot of stuff we do ppl are going to say something negative about it. in our house its just very much our room is our room there rooms are theres, thats how we are.

I think the bed rail is a great idea if it helps you both sleep then thats great!!!

i dont do it occasionally if they are really sick they have come in with us but thats only happened a hand full of times after shes thrown up or something i dont find a problem with it if you both get a good night sleep then thats great, if its what you want to do thats great im sure alot of stuff we do ppl are going to say something negative about it. in our house its just very much our room is our room there rooms are theres, thats how we are.

I think the bed rail is a great idea if it helps you both sleep then thats great!!!

totally understandable, I guess if I was still with her father things might be different. I would miss my little lady if she wasnt with me, but it's all ive really known (first 6weeks or so she was in the cot, but that was only arms distance away anyway).

It's quite funny though, my daughter has 3/4 of the double bed, and i end up lying on the edge with just enough to lie on. i love it when im lying there, and my girl rolls over and puts her little arms around my neck as she sleeps, i feel soo loved, hehe.

Lol, she's knows who's boss. Haha. I'm sure it makes her feel so loved too. I'm glad you have each other. grin

hello!!

I bought a bed rail and it worked perfectly the only thing was my husband and myself became very cramped as bubs had nearly half of the bed to himself, so my husband slept in the spare room for a while until I remembered that the cot we bought converted into a junior bed/day bed. So what we did was take off the side that you lower and attached the junior bed rail so it was really stable. Then I jammed our bed right up close to it so there was no gap. To make is even safer as I'm Mrs Worry Wort I put a quilt as the bottom sheet on bubs mattress and spread that over our bed as a bottom sheet too, just so I was assured bubs could not fall down the very tiny gap!! I really hope this helps!!


I totally agree with the other Mums that you are made to feel that you are doing something terrible by letting your baby sleep with you. We must all be reminded that it is only in the western world that babies do not sleep with their Mothers and that it natural for us to be very close to our babies. If you want to read a really great book it is called "Helping your Baby to Sleep" by Anni Gethin & Beth Macgregor. It talks alot about cosleeping and what detrimental affects controlled crying has on your baby. Good Luck with everything sweetie!!! smile

Hello Again All,

Thank you all for all your ideas & advice. Just to let you all know I got a extra long bed rail & have used it on our bed. DD slept well, I slept better & hubby was happy too smile it is a great idea so thank you smile

As far as I'm concerned, she can stay as long as she wants! If she said a year down the track she wanted to sleep in her own bed, so be it, she has her own bed and bedroom already (although I think I would get lonely at night without her, hehe). I really have no intentions of having a man in my bed anyway, at least not until my girl is a lot lot older! She's in my bed for the long haul, if she wants! It's quite funny though, my daughter has 3/4 of the double bed, and i end up lying on the edge with just enough to lie on. i love it when im lying there, and my girl rolls over and puts her little arms around my neck as she sleeps, i feel soo loved, hehe.

Just wanted to say i totally agree with you smile co sleeping is great and theres no harm in it what so ever smile