Am I making it worse for myself?

[Mum2boy]

I have been having a lot of trouble with Cooper sleeping because of many things mainly because he is still sick at the moment.

He is getting better, but is waking up heaps in the night - woke up at 4.30am, and i sat beside the cot until 6.10, trying a million times to move out of the room, but waking him every time

So at bed time today, he was freaking out SO much, that I just said I will sleep in the room too, and put a foam mattress in there and pretended to sleep (how much I REALLY wanted too - but had too much stuff to do!!) He feel asleep straight away and woke up happy.

Wondering if I am making it worse for myself tho? I really just need sleep and him to get better sleep too. I have to work the next two days, and its taking its toll.

Can anyone tell me if there is a way back if I go down this road, or will it be worse for me when he gets better?

Thanks

[foreva*your*mummy]

Im not really sure, so dont quote me on this if it dosnt work. BUT if that is what will make him sleep and you are ok to do this, then why not set up a mattress in his room, and have him drift of to sleep happy. Then if he wakes in the night then you can sleep on the mattress and atleast have a bit of sleep??. The only problem I would have with this is if they then think its a joke you being in there and start to play around. I am thinking if you get him into a good sleep pattern after a while mayb he will keep it??. Just a thought

[~Raven~]

I quite often hop into bed with Caleb and did the same with the other boys too. Whatever works I say

[Trillian]

You aren't making life hard for yourself at all. I've always done done it with my elder three - I would either hop in their bed with them or sleep on the couch. With my youngest I put him in bed with me because life is easier that way. It's only a passing thing while he's not well, so he just needs that little extra comfort for now.

[Mum2boy]

Hi ladies, it's hard to know what to do. I have no problem whatsover doing this if it helps him through this hard time, but previously when he was sick I put him in my bed when he was unwell and woke in the night, but when he got better it took SO long to get him to settle in his own bed. He just kept screaming - Mummys bed!!! So I am just concerned that being next to him on a mattress, he will expect it every time.

Any thoughts?

[christy]

With Matilda I still hold her hand while she goes to bed. I don't mind, I guess its a way of connecting right before she goes to sleep. If she wakes up in the middle of the night (rare now) I go and hold her hand for a few minutes and then stay until she is asleep. She's 4.

With Jovie, we sit on the end of the bed while she falls asleep. If she wakes up in the middle of the night, we co-sleep so we get rest. Otherwise we are up for ages getting her to sleep. Its exhausting. We did the same with Matilda, and she is now sleeping through most of the times and takes 15 minutes to get to sleep.... I personally would rather comfort them as much as we can.

[Trillian]

Ah OK. I would still do more of a comfort thing with him once he is well again. I really like Christy's way of doing things.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

DS goes to sleep in his own bed. If he won't re-settle at night then I get in with him or he comes in with me and I sleep. He plays for a bit then goes to sleep without me needing to do anything, just be there.

I figure if he's seven or eight and scared and needs comfort then he'll feel safe coming to me for a hug, even in the middle of the night. We go in phases where I'll need to sleep with him for a few nights running, then he sleeps pretty well again without me. It's rare he needs me these days at night (for co-sleeping) and I miss it, so I'm not at all worried when he wants me around. It's nice to be needed!