Hi Hilary!

I have two babes and we co-sleep and so I'm not an expert, but thought I'd share some of my opinions...

Firstly the cat thing. Totally understand. We have 2 dogs that were very much our babies and before co-sleeping with the kids, we co-slept with the dogs :P But we just have slowly eased them out of the bed prior to #1's birth and now they mostly choose to sleep in the lounge or on the floor of the bedroom. Cats are different of course, but maybe a baby gate somewhere to limit the cat's access to your bedroom?!!?

Also, in my experience around the age of your babe they start being more of their own person and express their wishes...as much as they can be... and what they usually want is their mum or dad.... like at all times!!!

Do you have a sling or baby carrier?? that will help heaps. an ergo or something that will easily go from infant in the front carry to being able to put the babe on your back once they have head and core muscle strength will be really useful. That way you can have your babe close and happy but still get dinner on or put on a load of washing or go shopping etc

BUt mostly, I think the best advice I got and can give is to just sit down, relax and cuddle your babe as much as possible!! co-sleep and enjoy all those cuddles, snuggles and the closeness. Co-sleeping really does just make life heaps easier for you and its better for your babe.

safety wise, the usual stuff about non smoking, no alcohol, or medications that can make you drowsy.... but that aside, I have a safety rail too and that's about it. I chose not to use a doona anymore but I made some blankets that are just big enough to cover me and dh... and we have one each. the kids are in grobags. just means there isn't lots of blankets flaping about the place to worry about as your babe gets more mobile.
and that's it really.


THe first few months are so full on and you might feel lots of pressure to be doing as much around the house and in life in general, as you did before... but honestly, it's just not worth the stress. Just let your babe sleep in your arms. Don't worry about the housework because in the long run it just won't matter. Honestly. Take turns eating dinner while you and dh eat dinner.... or like I do, eat with the babe on the boob and a tea towel tent over them to make sure I don't drop anything (obviously not with things like soup)

This time lasts such a short time and in a few months time when they are more active and want to sleep, and they are happy to sleep in bed on their own, you will be glad you had these first few months with your babe in arm.

go easy on your self!

Oh and the writing everything down thing....is there like a medical reason for that?? must be really stressful to keep all that up.