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Ok ladies (and gents!)...
I think it's time for ds to go back in his cot. Co-sleeping has started to affect our relationship (dh calls the spare bed 'his bed') and little man is just too mobile... he fell off our, rather high, bed this morning. We can't put the mattress on the floor- we have nowhere to store the bed frame. The time has come for him to sleep alone but how do I do it?
Does anyone have any tips at all for me?
Can you fit his cot next to your bed? So he's next to you, and then move him out slowly?
Where does he sleep during the day (if he does!) - I'd move those sleeps into his cot first, and then once you know he can go to sleep in his cot start trying him in there in the evenings. Is his cot in your room so that he can still hear you??
His cot is in his room and he does sleep quite well there in the day, and puts himself to sleep most days- I can just pop him in, give him a kiss and walk out and off he goes. He starts in there at night too, until about 11 when he wakes and we put him in bed with us (he absolutely refuses to go to sleep after about midnight unless he's in our bed).
His cot used to be in our room until he was about 4 months, and then he begin to sleep really lightly so we moved him into his own room (couldn't even roll over in bed because the rustle of the sheets would wake him). He started sleeping with us at about 5 months- he got quite sick with bronchoulitis and it's just become a habit...
That's tricky - it seems as though you've done all the easy bits! I haven't anything to suggest, sorry...
The trouble with moving them out of our bed is that they get used to it, they love it, and then all of a sudden, they're on their own and don't know why! I tried to move DD to her cot, as co-sleeping wasn't working anymore, and it was just hopeless.
Is it possible for you to push your bed against a wall so that he can't fall out? Or can he sleep between you? Perhaps you can readjust your sleeping arrangements, when I was with exP we joined a double bed and a single bed together, pushed against a wall. DD slept on the single bed (that was against the wall) and me and exP shared the double bed. Having a big enough sleeping space is vital for everyone involved!
He might be too old for it now, but you can special cots that you put next to your bed, but it has raised sides (except for the one that is next to your bed) so that you can still co-sleep but you both have your own space.
If you don't want to do that, does bub have a special soft toy or blanket that he loves, a security object? If he doesn't, you can introduce one and that could help him sleep (because the toy acts as a surrogate for your love and comfort). Just make sure that you introduce it when you're playing, feeding, etc. and that it smells like you.
Hmmm... maybe this will be easier than I thought- he actually stayed in his cot till 5 am today woot!!!
Congratulations!! Sounds like he will do it all on his own. Hope you and DH got some lovely alone time.;)
LoriRae I hope the transition goes well. I have my fingers crossed for you.