where does baby sleep?

is there any danger of crushing the baby or he/she rolling out of the bed? alien concept to me.

I know someone who's baby died from sleeping in her bed about two years ago. Very sad.

There are about 65 deaths a year in the US from babies being smothered by a parent, smothered by the bed or pillow, or being trapped between the mattress and headboard or the mattress and other furniture. I read something that says it reduces the chances of SIDS and I suppose the number is lower than the number of SIDS deaths. *shrugs*

There is a lot of conflicting data out there about the dangers of this. It looks like you can build a fairly convincing case on both sides for whether or not it's a good idea.

A friend of mine in NY had an attachment that hooked on the bed where the baby slept.  I'll have to ask her how that worked.

is there any danger of crushing the baby or he/she rolling out of the bed? alien concept to me.

Nope...no problems for me, even with preemie twins.

Nope...no problems for me, even with preemie twins.

You must have had a huge bed

Do they just sleep right there with you?  Or are they on a cushion?

We co-sleep with Morgan, and have since she was born.  It started because she simply would not stay asleep if she wasn't being held or touched-we tried the double swaddle, we tried everything, and it just didn't help.  So if I hadn't brought her to bed (she was and still is breastfed, although she only nurses at night now) I never would have slept.

But yes, the number of co-sleeping death is far less than SIDS, and there's a lot of research that shows that having Mommy breathing so close helps regulate baby's breathing.  (Also, it seems a lot of those deaths relate to drunk or drugged parents, waterbeds, or other siblings causing the problem.)

I sleep on my side with her head on my upper arm, so it's physically imossible for me to roll over on her-plus you'll be surprised how AWARE you are of your baby!

A good book to get is the Sears' Baby Sleep Book.  They are strong co-sleeping advocates but not in a pushy way, and offer help for all parents no matter what "sleep method" they choose-lots of practical advice!

You must have had a huge bed

Do they just sleep right there with you?  Or are they on a cushion?

King-sized bed with the twins...with my first three singletons, we had two double beds pushed together to make two!

I didn't have any problems with them moving into their own beds when we decided the time was right (around 2 or so) and then the older ones shared a room etc.

My children were all exclusively breastfed, so with the twins especially, co-sleeping was a life saver for me. You can lie on your side with the baby tummy to tummy (head cradled on your arm like SAF described) and both just fall back to sleep.

American King size I presume?  Here we have a kingsize but it's a queen in the US.  I would do it if I had an American King for sure.

They say not to co-sleep if one of the parents is drunk, on medication, or is a very heavy sleeper.  When Ellen slept in bed with us, I would turn my pillow lengthwise and put her next to me on the plain sheet, with no blanket covering her.  Both my husband and  I sleep so much more lightly now that we were aware of every little movement that she made in bed with us. 

There is a lot of conflicting data out there about the dangers of this. It looks like you can build a fairly convincing case on both sides for whether or not it's a good idea.

Exactly.  I remember among the moms I knew in the US, this could be a pretty hot topic that would spark debates.  I say to do whatever works for your family and not worry about what other people think!  I know that both my husband's and my parents disapproved that we let Ellen sleep in our bed with us, but we just shrugged it off. 

American King size I presume?  Here we have a kingsize but it's a queen in the US.  I would do it if I had an American King for sure.

We had an American queen sized bed and felt like we had plenty of room with one extra one in there!

We had an American queen sized bed and felt like we had plenty of room with one extra one in there!

You guys must be tiny!  Rich and I can't sleep in a double at all, it's so uncomfortable.  A queen is just big enough for us. 

We had an American queen sized bed and felt like we had plenty of room with one extra one in there!

I always slept next to my husband and put baby on the other side of me...I know what a light sleeper I am. I used to wake up seconds before the baby made a peep...and usually still sense when one of the twins is going to wake to use the toilet...even though they are in their own room (of course!)

It is a hot debate...and I also am of the camp "you are the authority on your family and should do what you feel is best for all around."

I know some women said...what about sex?! Well, with them in our bed, there were other bedrooms empty! (Not to mention the couch or kitchen counter!   )

I know some women said...what about sex?! Well, with them in our bed, there were other bedrooms empty! (Not to mention the couch or kitchen counter!  )

Gives you a chance to be creative!!   

We have a co-sleeper very similar to this one.  Ours is bigger though.  Absolutely LOVE it!!  If Izzy needs breastfed, all I have to do is roll over and do it.  Doesn't disturb my DH at all.   It can then be used as a bench of sorts when she gets older.  It was the best purchase we ever made.  I love co-sleeping with her.  We all sleep very peacefully through the night.

Ohh, where did you get it?

We bought it at Mothercare.  I can't remember how much, but I do remember it wasn't much more than any of the regular cots.  Forgot to mention before that it can be used as a regular cot also.  It has a side that slides underneath when you use it as a co-sleeper.