Lexi (our cute, raspberry-blowing baby who laughs all day long) has pretty severe reflux. She has, in her short life, slept far better upright or at a severe incline than laying down and was confined to the swing and carseat for sleep. With her reflux, she needs to eat very small meals (5 minutes) frequently to maximize the amount that actually stays in her system. She’s growing, but slowly. That means that for her, sleeping an eight hour stretch at this point is just not happening. Which didn’t bother me that much, except for hauling myself out of bed to get her in order to feed her. She’s just started to be able to sleep lying flat, so she’s finally transitioned into our bed. We coslept with Kate, so it’s not new to us, but the comparison of the past week to the past few months is astonishing to me. She’s waking up just as much or more (alas, she’s not only eating, but also dealing with teething pain) but I am feeling so much more well rested. I really am in no hurry for her to *sleep through the night* — her nighttime feedings are the only ones right now she’s not spitting up. But not having to drag myself around the house in the middle of the night is REALLY appreciated.
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read in 2016:
Paterson, The Great Gilly Hopkins
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Yeah, the reason that I don’t ever feel tired even though I have a baby who doesn’t sleep through the night is all because of cosleeping. She gets up once or twice every night to nurse, but I barely even have to wake up in order to get her latched and have us both drift back to sleep.
For us, the *real* rest came in toddlerhood.
We still nursed at night (very important to me, as the way the endocrine system works, my body requires night nursing to maintain milk supply.)
But, oh what a change when the toddler was tucked in bed with brothers at night, and then when he woke to nurse in the wee sma’s, he’d just toddle over to me and climb in bed and snuggle and nurse.
Wonderful memories. . .
Glad to hear Lexi is sleeping/eating/keeping it in better. . .
I wish that more people co-slept for this reason alone, you are simply more rested. Nights are really a nonissue. And on top of that, it’s so sweet and special.
Glad that Lexi is doing better and that you’re getting more rested.
Btw, are any of the houses that you listed previously still on the market?
It’s amazing how not physically getting up out of bed makes a difference, eh? I’m the same way. If I wake up, but don’t actually get out of bed, I don’t think I feel as bad as if I actually get up, even if the time period is longer.
Hurray for Lexi! Glad you’re getting more sleep. For me the rest comes when my babies learn to side-lie while nursing in bed. The rapturous joy of not having to sit up and position a newborn to nurse is beyond all.
Wonderful! :) I can’t imagine doing it any other way… I’m thankful after a week or so we got the nighttime nursing then down… what a blessing it’s working for you now.
Glad the co-sleeping is working out. Now have you got any tips for getting sleep with a 9 week old puppy at home who has the bladder capacity of a thimble?
Good girl, Lexi. I’m sure your parents are very lucky to have you.
Lots of kisses from me,
CinnamonLeaf
http://cinnamonleaf.lipblogs.com
I’m glad to hear that she is able to keep more down now. I know how tough it is to have a baby/child with reflux. Four of our five have had it and one severe enough to be hospitalized. That’s when we broke down and spent the money on the Amby Bed – expensive,the best money we’ve ever spent. And I put it right next to my side of the bed. Once it was outgrown or the reflux got better the babies go in our bed too. Because it’s collapsable and portable it went to Grandma’s house many times with us – a life saver. Even if this next baby doesn’t have reflux, I’ll set it up for the nap time when I’m not sleeping too. OH, and with our preemie (she’s six now) I never could nurse her lying down. Every time I did she got an ear infection; her ear tubes just were developed enough to prevent the roll back of the milk. The ear infections stopped when I quit nursing her lying down (when I figured it out, anyway).
I love side-lying nursing. Praying that Audrey figures it out soon, Mrs. Butler!
We really enjoy the snuggling part of co-sleeping, too. But I find the extra-sleep argument very compelling to naysayers!
Rebekah,
My favorite sold (the old house with hardwoods and cf tub on a huge lot) but there are many other prospects on the market right now. Maybe I’ll post some more today if I get a chance!