The Sleep Struggle is Real: How We Went from Crib to Co-Sleeping and Back Again
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Editor's Summary
Sleep struggles are real, folks. We've been there - from crib to co-sleeping and back again. Our little one's sleep journey has been a wild ride, with its fair share of ups and downs. We've tried it all: cribs, playpens, co-sleeping, and even a toddler bed. But what works for one family might not work for another. In this post, we'll share our honest experience with co-sleeping, including the pros and cons, and what we learned along the way. From the benefits of co-sleeping to the challenges of transitioning back to a toddler bed, we're spilling the tea on what it's like to navigate the world of sleep with a tiny human.", "pros": [ "Co-sleeping can be a game-changer for new parents, especially during those sleep-deprived early days.", "It's a great way to bond with your little one and create lasting memories.", "Co-sleeping can be a lifesaver for families with multiple children, making bedtime routine a breeze.", "Our tiny human loved snuggling up close and feeling safe and secure.", "Co-sleeping can be a great way to monitor your child's sleep and make adjustments as needed." ], "cons": [ "Co-sleeping can be a challenge for parents who value their personal space and independence.", "It can be tough to transition back to a toddler bed or big kid bed after co-sleeping.", "Co-sleeping might not be the best option for families with larger living spaces or multiple bedrooms.", "Our little one would often wake up multiple times during the night, requiring us to get up and soothe them.", "Co-sleeping can be a safety concern if parents are not mindful of their child's sleep environment." ], "faq": [ { "question": "What is co-sleeping, and is it safe?", "answer": "Co-sleeping is the practice of sharing a bed with your child. While it can be safe when done properly, it's essential to create a safe sleep environment and follow guidelines to minimize the risk of SIDS." }, { "question": "How do I transition my child from co-sleeping to a toddler bed?", "answer": "The transition process can take time, but it's essential to start by introducing the toddler bed gradually, making it a fun and exciting experience for your child." }, { "question": "What are the benefits of co-sleeping?", "answer": "Co-sleeping can be beneficial for new parents, allowing for increased bonding and a sense of security for both the child and the parents." }, { "question": "Can co-sleeping be done safely with multiple children?", "answer": "Yes, co-sleeping can be done safely with multiple children, but it's essential to create a safe sleep environment and follow guidelines to minimize the risk of SIDS." }, { "question": "How long can I co-sleep with my child?", "answer": "There's no specific age limit for co-sleeping, but it's essential to consider your child's individual development and needs." }, { "question": "What are some common mistakes to avoid when co-sleeping?", "answer": "Some common mistakes to avoid when co-sleeping include creating a cluttered sleep environment, using soft bedding, and not following safe sleep guidelines." ], "meta_title": "The Sleep Struggle is Real: How We Went from Crib to Co-Sleeping and Back Again", "meta_description": "Sleep struggles are real, folks. We've been there - from crib to co-sleeping and back again. Our little one's sleep journey has been a wild ride, with its fair share of ups and downs.", "og_title": "The Sleep Struggle is Real: How We Went from Crib to Co-Sleeping and Back Again", "og_description": "Sleep struggles are real, folks. We've been there - from crib to co-sleeping and back again. Our little one's sleep journey has been a wild ride, with its fair share of ups and downs.
Specifications
I'll be the first to admit, I was clueless about the whole 'maternal bliss' thing. As a mom to an 8-month-old baby, I'm more than ready to share my experience and maybe even save someone from making the same mistakes I did. When I was pregnant, I was adamant that my baby would sleep strictly in their crib, and that co-sleeping was out of the question. But boy, was I wrong about that.
As they say, 'never say never.' I guess that's what I learned the hard way.
We decided to get all the essentials before the baby arrived, including a crib and a stroller, so that when our little one came home, they'd already be comfortable and not need anything. For those who've read my review about giving birth, you know that after the hospital, I ended up in the NICU with our baby. In the hospital, each mom had their own room with their baby by their side. I noticed that almost all the moms were already co-sleeping with their babies, but at the time, I was still sticking to my guns and not bringing our baby into bed with me. We could cuddle during the day, but at night, our baby slept strictly in their own room.
And then, everything was perfect until we got home. By the time we arrived, our baby was almost a month old. My husband, who was still working in a nearby city (about a 2-hour drive, traffic permitting), would come visit us whenever he could, but for the most part, it was just my baby and me.
At first, I tried to put our baby in the crib, but for some reason, they just wouldn't take to it. They'd wake up as soon as they were laid down, and I'd end up having to put them in the stroller instead. I figured, why not just put the stroller in the crib with them? That way, they'd sleep better, and I'd have a chance to get some rest too. I don't know why they just didn't like the crib, but it had a transformer oval shape with a gentle rocking motion, soft side rails, and a mobile with a lullaby playing. We also set it up with a white noise machine and a nightlight.
Since our baby was on formula, we didn't have to worry about constant feedings, but all moms know that newborns don't have a concept of day or night yet – they sleep and wake up whenever they feel like it.
During the day, our baby slept a lot, and I'd put them in the stroller while I got some things done. But at night, around 3-4 am, our baby would wake up and stay awake until morning. And, of course, when they woke up, I'd bring the stroller into bed with me, and we'd cuddle until they fell back asleep.
But then, our baby started getting these awful colic attacks that left them crying hysterically. And, let me tell you, we were at our wit's end. Our bedroom is small, and it's impossible to walk around with a crying baby in the stroller, so I decided to move to the living room.
Of course, when our dad came to visit, he'd sleep in the crib just fine, but when we were dealing with colic, it was a different story.
I set up our couch in the living room, and as soon as our little one calmed down, I'd lay him down there and snuggle up next to him because I knew it wouldn't be long before he'd wake up again and we'd start all over. And that's how our co-sleeping journey began. We co-slept like that until our dad finally came back home, which was when our little one was around 4 months old.
I'd rock him on the exercise ball, then put him in his crib, and he'd sleep until he got hungry again. After feeding, he'd fall asleep once more. From 4 to 6.5 months, our little one had a great sleep schedule, and I struggled to get him to sleep in his crib by 7-8 pm – sometimes it was as late as 9 pm, but those were exceptions. He'd wake up between 8-9 am, and that was perfect.
But when he was 6.5 months old, teething started, and our routine went down the drain. He'd have terrible tantrums, a fever, congestion, and mucus, and our little one is super sensitive – he loves kisses, hugs, and in that period, he really needed them. He'd wake up 6-7 times a night, and I was exhausted from constantly getting up to check on him. I decided to put his crib next to our bed, which we hadn't done initially because we didn't see the need, but our bedroom isn't big enough for that kind of luxury. But we compromised, just so our little one could sleep in his own crib.
We started having our partner sleep with him, and that's when we made a huge mistake. Our little one started getting used to nighttime cuddles, and he'd only fall asleep with kisses and hugs. He needed someone nearby, or he'd wake up a few hours later, realize no one was there, and turn into a whole different person.
If I want to put our little one in his crib, I need to perform the entire nighttime ritual, or it's a lost cause. I need to lie down with him, cuddle, touch his hair, kiss him, and if he's not in the mood, I need to rock him. Only when he's deeply asleep can I transfer him to his crib. But my happiness was short-lived, as by 5-6 am, he'd realize something was off, wake up, and make it clear he needed us. If not, no one would get any sleep.
Now that he's a big boy, he only wakes up between 7-8 am and has a blast playing at night. It's not life, it's a fairy tale.
Teething is still going on, so some nights are pretty rough, and we have to leave him with us. You know what happens then – I sleep on the edge of the bed, almost falling off, our little one starts pulling my hair, which is his favorite thing to do, then he sticks his fingers up my nose and digs around my ears, just in case there's something interesting in there. And, of course, he needs to snuggle up next to my pillow, taking over my side for his face.
And the cherry on top is that our nights have turned into a Russian roulette, as our little one now sleeps on his side, and we're guessing who'll get bitten next.
The pros of co-sleeping are pretty clear: our little one is always nearby, we don't have to get up to him all the time, it's easier to breastfeed on demand, and he's more relaxed. But let's be real, there are some downsides to having the baby sleep with us. It's not safe, there's not enough room, the baby is super sensitive to noise, the baby is way too interested in my hair and face, and I could end up on the operating table for a rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
But, I have to admit, I don't entirely regret it. Our baby is pretty chill on their own, and as long as they're not sick or teething, the nights are pretty peaceful. Sure, it can be a bit uncomfortable, but let's be real, my husband wasn't exactly sleeping like an angel before the baby came along. He was basically sleeping horizontally, with me squished to the edge of the bed. And now that the baby's here, he's learned to sleep at the edge of the bed, so I guess that's a plus for me.
So, the verdict is, I wouldn't recommend co-sleeping unless you have a good reason to. It's a big risk, and we've all heard about SIDS. I get it, it's scary, especially in the beginning, I was constantly checking to see if the baby was breathing, and if they were sleeping too long, I'd rush to their side and check their breathing again. I tried to follow the co-sleeping guidelines, with the baby sleeping above, and our pillows lower, so their feet were at the level of our heads, but still, the baby would wriggle around and it was a worry. We had one situation where I couldn't sleep, and I was exhausted, and I opened my eyes to see my husband rolling over and moving towards the baby, I quickly closed my eyes and woke him up. If it wasn't for my maternal instincts, I don't know what could have happened.
I've heard that co-sleeping can ruin relationships, but in our case, it actually brought us closer together. My husband loves sleeping with the baby, it's become his thing, and he'd rather sleep with us all in one bed than be apart like a couple of cockroaches.
So, weigh the pros and cons for yourself, and make your own decision.
