sleeping alone

[Kahlan]

Hi,

I need some advice. When you guys have your little one in their own room by themselves at night. We have moved our baby girl to her room a few weeks now and DH and I have take turn sleeping with her (in a single bed on the opposite side to her cot). So far things are going well and she sleeps straight through most nights.

I am going back to work in 3 weeks time and really need a good night sleep and can't do that very well if I share her room because I will wake with every toss and turn of her body.. but at the same time I am scared of leaving her to sleep all on her own... you know all of that SID thing scares me.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Kahlan

[sirenz]

hmm have you thought about getting an angel care baby monitor? it monitors their breathing, I had to buy one for ds for my own peace of mind when he went into his own room and it did take a little of the stress away.

[Lolli]

:yeahthat: AC monitors are a godsend

[Amaunet]

AngelCare Monitor fan here too - gives me sooooo much peace of mind.

[MamaPan]

yep i went the angelcare monitor for DS1 and will be using it for DS2 also...

[Kahlan]

Thanks girls,

We are currently using Angelcare as well... a godsend and prevents me from checking on her every few minutes during the day...guess I should trust it at night as well hey

[Arcadia]

Are you not sleeping well because you feel anxious, or because she is a noisy sleeper?

To cope with the anxiety, I just say to myself "I can't breathe for her" and try to relax.

Would you feel better if she was in your room with both of you, so you could share the responsibility a bit more?

[Kahlan]

Hi Anna,

She is a noisy sleeper, especially at 3-4 am in the morning because she would be tossing and turning and I am such as light sleeper. I wake every time and would check on her straight away and then can't go back to sleep DH is the same. So the short of it is although she sleeps through the night at a very early age (since 7weeks old) I only get around 4-5 hours straight each night max. I know I should not complain because other mothers are having it tougher than me with multiple feeds at night. This is the reason why we moved her into her own room except I feel that if we leave her there on her own all night and if something happens I will really hate myself. Maybe I should do the self talk thing as you have suggested. So far during day nap I will only go to her if I know she is awake and wants play or really crying because she needs me (not that sudden cry and then sound asleep again as she often do both day and night )

[Arcadia]

kahlan. You're doing such a great job, and being a mummy sure brings a lot of worries doesn't it?

I think if you're willing to have her in another room, then you should probably try and sleep in your own bed with DH and just make sure you have the monitor on, in case she needs you.

I have a routine of checking on DD before I go to bed and make sure there are no blankets or toys near her head and she is ok, and then I go to bed and try to relax.

You will find it easier as time goes on. I actually don't use a monitor at all, and I let DD have toys in the cot AND she sleeps on her tummy. All SIDS no-no's...but ultimately I have to trust she will be ok...otherwise I would have her in bed with me! (which I do anyway some nights too!)

The hardest part of being a mum, is all the emotional turmoil we put ourselves through. You have to trust your instincts though and do what is best for your family.

Maybe sleeping in her room is the best thing for you and you actually just need a strategy to cope with the fatigue. Can you go to bed earlier????

Big ...its hard!