Is this a bad idea?

I put DD down at 11pm in her crib, she wakes for a bottle at 4am (back in the crib she goes) and then wakes for another bottle at 8am...

so atfter her 8am feeding I'm tired and too lazy to put her back down in the crib and DH has already left for work so I bring her into my bed for a morning nap and we sleep until 11am!!!

DH gets so mad and tells me we should never bring her into our bed, even for a nap. I say she's only 5 weeks old and I'll be going back to work when she's 13 weeks old - so she's too young to worry about it. ESP because she's in her crib all night and once I go back to work they'll be no time to cuddle in bed together in the morning

Should I not be doing this? or is it ok because she's young and I won't do it anymore once I start work. I love cuddle time, but I don't want to start any bad habits.

Message edited 1/7/2007 4:44:09 PM.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

You will get mixed reviews but I am not a fan of co-sleeping in the same bed for fear of rolling on the baby or them getting suffocated by blankets, pillows etc... but a co-sleeper would work well for you.
I also wouldn't want that to become a habit, but that is just me.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

i totally did this a few times and samantha slept (pardon the expression) like a baby too....it was a bad habit i guess but it worked....and got me a few extra hours (i am lucky she always slept for four to six hrs at a time but i would still wake up and check on her ) - now she has more of a schedule and i don't need to take her into our bed....so if it works for now and gets you through the day, do it!!

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I slept and napped with DD all the time. I don't see anything wrong with it and at such a young age it's probably very comforting to her to be close to you.
(I'm a co-sleeping advocate though so my opinioin may be swayed )

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I did this for the first few months and my son just grew out of it naturally once his sleeping patterns began to develop better. I am totally for it. I loved every second of it! He really just slept better in the beginning when he was cuddled. And to be honest they really don't form habits until they are at least three months or so.

Enjoy it while you can!!!

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I did this every morning untill one day (when my DD was 4 1/2 months old) I woke up and she was on her belly. That was the last time I did it for fear that she would roll off the bed. That night was her first night in her crib and she did great and ahas done great ever since. I say keep cuddling!

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I think its fine. We used to do it with Ella when she was waking up early. Now that she sleeps until 8 or 9am, we don't have to anymore.

I'll sometimes still bring her in our bed when she's sick. It comforts her.

(She sleeps 12+ hours in her crib every night, so I guess it didn't do much damage )

Re: Is this a bad idea?

even though DS sleeps with me now I never did it that young. The risk of suffocation is so high and I heard too many horror stories. Lots of people do it with no problem but I was always too afraid.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

Wayy too funny because i do the EXACT same thing - times and all!!
I don't know if she realizes the difference right now, so I am not worried about it. I do the same thing and don't get up till like 11 (but I tell my DH 10 )

Re: Is this a bad idea?

we started doing the exact same thing at 6 weeks and DS slept SO much better, plus we got more sleep...I swore I'd never do it and I'm still very vigilant because I know it's dangerous but...I think it's OK as long as we stop once she starts sleeping through the night

Re: Is this a bad idea?

thanks, I appreciate your opinions

I am concerned about the dangers of sharing a bed as well

Message edited 1/7/2007 6:25:06 PM.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

At that age, when Jeremy was sleeping those hours, I did the same thing. I only did it a few times though.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

In the beginning jiavana would only sleep in bed with us. Then eventually we were able to put her in her crib. If she wakes up earlier than usual I will give her a bottle and let her stay in the bed with us for an hour or so. It's not all the time so I don't think its going to create a bad habit.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

i used to do it too, but we used to sleep on top of the covers, not under. But then again, for the 1st 4 weeks of her life DH and i spent sleeping on the couch in the LR sleeping with DD on our chests, cause thats the only way she would sleep during the night for more than 30 minutes. Dangerious, yes, but worth it to us, our only way of coping and staying sane and awake.

even now, DD is 8 months old, sometimes for her am nap she lays next to mommy on the couch and we both catch some zzzzz'ss

5 weeks is so young, i don't think you will "mess" up her sleeping. Cuddle now while you can

Message edited 1/8/2007 1:43:31 PM.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

When DS was that age, I did it too. It use to be from 8-10am usually right after his 8am bottle. I think at about 3 months he no longer wanted to nap right after his 8am bottle, so that nap with my little one ended. I miss it!
So, don't worry it won't last long. Enjoy it while you can.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I do pretty much the same thing too. Luca goes to bed between 10-11pm then wakes up between 3-4am wakes again between 6-7am and then I feed him and put him in bed with me until 9:30-10am. It's the only way to get those extra couple of hours.

Re: Is this a bad idea?

I did this every morning until I went back to work. She sleeps on her own just fine now.