Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Family Bed

I have a daughter who does not like to sleep in her own bed. Said daughter is currently attached to my left "nibble" while I type away. She could care less that the laptop is burning my knees and perched precariously close to her head. She doesn't seem to mind that after having her fall asleep five times only to wake up seconds after I carefully snuck her into her bed that I'm feeling a little on edge. She wants to co-sleep. It is who she is. If she can't feel moms flesh on her face she gets distressed. Such is her commitment that she will grab a fist full of my shirt in order to gauge when I'm going to try and lay her down. Any sudden moves and she, even in deep sleep, will grab even tighter, twisting the fabric in between her baby fingers. I feel like a prisoner chained to the warden. Some might ask, "Well Crys, why do you mind having her in your bed. If she sleeps so well there, why not just leave her?" The truth is that mother does not sleep well having her there. Most nights I just can't sleep soundly knowing she is floating around somewhere in the sheets between mother and father. On the chance I do sleep soundly something horrible happens to remind me of why I shouldn't. Last night in exhaustion I passed out with her on my breast. At five I woke up to find her wedged head first between me and her father. In a panic I pulled her from between us by the leg. She started screaming, I started freaking out, neither of us was happy. Of course father didn't rouse for a second. One more reason I worry about having such a small feeble thing in bed with two huge monsters. And so I wonder how will I get her into her crib on the sixth try.

4 comments:

Jackie said...

I totally feel for you - Aedan was exactly the same way and he still manages to sneak into our bed in the middle of the night. Ugghh. I think you are right though, it is something about the individual child but I have no clue what to suggest to you. Being pregnant and doing the family bed is not fun I can tell you that...

Nancy said...

Maybe you need a bassinet for her still, so that she can be close...or maybe you do have one and she won't use it.

They have co-sleeping pillows and things--even bassinets that attach to one side of the bed.

When Rachel would sleep with us, I'd put a pillow between her and Andrew so that he wouldn't roll on top of her...he's a pretty deep sleeper and always made me nervous.

She didn't move to her crib for a long time and even then slept in our bed some...

enithhernandez said...

Hi there! :-) I am all for family bed!!! All my kids have slept with us and they are VERY healthy and great kids! I just recently bought a crib for nap time and he won't use it at ALL! LOL but he naps in my chest :-)

Look at Mothering.com website where they encourage mothers to sleep with their babies, babies are not meant to sleep alone, they are helpless without the mother - trust your instincts!

sleep

btw I commented on your circumcision blog check it out!

ps. love your blog!! <3

enithhernandez said...

oops here is the correct link:

http://mothering.com/sleep