Parenting Insights
Understanding the Dynamics of Co-Sleeping
Robert Lang Photography / Getty Images
Navigating Co-Sleeping When It’s Not Your First Choice (But Your Baby Insists)
11:00 PM: Begin the night with every family member settled in their respective sleeping spaces, firmly resolved this arrangement will last.
12:30 AM: Rise to soothe the baby back to slumber.
1:30 AM: Get up again to gently rock the baby back to sleep.
2:00 AM: Make another trip to the restroom, lamenting the lack of pelvic floor exercises.
2:45 AM: Attempt once more to rock the baby back to sleep, but the little one is not having it. Feeling chilled and utterly fatigued, you decide to bring the baby into bed—assuring yourself it’s the last time (a promise you make every night).
2:50 AM: Adhere to safe co-sleeping practices: protect your eyes, hair, and vital organs from the baby’s enthusiastic kicks and pulls as they get comfortable.
2:55 AM: Experience a sudden impact to your temple—how did that foot get up there? Maintaining composure, you silently curse in your mind.
3:00 AM: Alongside your partner, cling nervously to the edge of the bed, marveling at how one small baby can occupy so much space and seemingly sprout extra limbs.
3:10 AM: In a silent exchange with your partner, mime about your “octopus baby” and the spatial challenges for the three of you. Watch as he joyfully stumbles to the spare room, leaving you both clinging to the edge.
3:15 AM: As you anticipate the baby settling (read: ceasing to assault you), you feel thankful to be lying down instead of standing in the nursery, engaged in a futile “shush-pat” routine.
3:20 AM: The baby drifts off, and just then, you find yourself needing to cough. You try to suppress it but end up emitting a strangled noise akin to a distressed animal.
3:25 AM: Struggle to free your hair from the baby’s tight grip. Exhaustion kicks in; you can manage this pain.
3:26 AM: Realize that you cannot sleep through this discomfort. Again, you silently curse, but with increasing intensity.
3:30 AM: Cycle through a series of thoughts: “Nobody else co-sleeps. Co-sleeping is a natural choice. It breeds dependency. It’s the right choice for us. I will regret this. Is my scalp bleeding? We are low on bread.”
3:55 AM: Glance at your sweet baby, relishing the intimacy of him curled beside you. As you listen to his rhythmic breathing, you start to drift off.
5:15 AM: Awaken in a panic, fearing the baby is gone. He’s not—his head is resting right on your already strained bladder.
5:20 AM: Try to ignore the urgent need to relieve yourself and will yourself back to sleep. Consider if bed-wetting might be an acceptable alternative to waking the baby. You remain undecided.
5:25 AM: Gently shift the baby’s head—success! You fall back asleep.
6:15 AM: Wake to the baby playfully hitting you with his pacifier, grinning widely. Another successful night—for him, at least.
This article was originally published on February 25, 2018.
For more on home insemination, check out this post about at-home intracervical insemination kits. If you’re interested in pregnancy resources, the CDC offers excellent guidance. And for those curious about bachelorette party ideas, visit this expert site.
Summary
Co-sleeping can be a challenging experience for parents who initially prefer separate sleeping arrangements for their children. This comprehensive overview illustrates the late-night struggles and mixed emotions of co-sleeping, revealing how it can lead to exhaustion, discomfort, and unexpected moments of joy.