When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

DS is 3 months, and co-sleeps with us. I'd like to start getting him into his crib, but DH disagrees. When is the appropriate time to wean DS (AND DH! lol) to his own crib?

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

We just did this a week ago. I felt it was time and that his reflux was under control enough to be in his crib. Thankfully he went right in with no problems. I have been so much happier. He also has been sleeping longer since being in his crib Now he even takes naps in his crib

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

I know the books say before they turn 1 is the time to start getting them in there cribs, I waited to long and now Julia is almost 14 months, and still in our bed with us. This fall will be such a joy for me to get her in her crib.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

We did it at 6 months because she wasn't sleeping well and neither were we so I figured the crib was worth a try and it worked out fine. I have friends that still cosleep with their 2 year old. I guess it's a personal decision for you and DH to make because I don't think everyone will have the same right time.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

DD is 5 months and as much as I LOVE her being there we may want to try her crib because I barely sleep keeping one eye opened at all times. It is easy having her there being I nurse exclusively though... I may talk DH into moving her crib in our room...

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

Posted by MelTodd604

I know the books say before they turn 1 is the time to start getting them in there cribs, I waited to long and now Julia is almost 14 months, and still in our bed with us. This fall will be such a joy for me to get her in her crib.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

As someone who just woke up with a 5 year old knee in my back and a 3 year old hand on my face, I'd say as soon as possible. It's easier to break habits when they're younger.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

Message edited 8/27/2006 9:11:45 AM.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

If you feel like you are ready to try it now, I say go for it. I think for every baby the age is different -- some people do it young and some people aren't sucessful until much older, although I'd think that the younger you can do it the better.

We never co-slept because my DH was terrified of it but we used to have my DD sleep in the bouncer seat right beside our bed. At about 2.5-3 months we decided to try and transition her to the crib because she wasn't sleeping well in the bouncer anymore and it worked wonderfully. We would put her to sleep awake when she seemed sleepy (rubbing her ears is always a sign for us), give her the pacifier, turn on the mobile, and rub her head and tell her it's time for night nights. We had to give her the paci sometimes in the middle of the night but for the most part she would sleep straight through and all of a sudden we had this great sleep schedule where we were getting 6+ hours of sleep a night too!

I say try it now and see how it goes. Give it a few days and if it doesn't work out and is complete torture, give it a rest until next month, or a few weeks, and try it again.

You might be pleasantly surprised.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

we did it when she was down to one nighttime feeding (around 4:30am and as late as 6:30am) but she didn't come into our bed till midnight or 1am at that point.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

Posted by emilain

Posted by nrthshgrl

As someone who just woke up with a 5 year old knee in my back and a 3 year old hand on my face, I'd say as soon as possible. It's easier to break habits when they're younger.

Holy cow, you just woke up!? Lucky you, I've been upo for 3 hrs and now that I think of it, it was because I had a 1 year old foot in my back, a 7 year old elbow in my face and a 3 year old hinney on my head!! (she sleeps at the top of our bed across the pillows), so maybe you;re right, move the baby now Lichi!!

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

So, I have to say that co-sleeping hasn't been too bad for us... DS sleeps through the night most times, and when he does wake up, it only for a lil but of tossing & grunting, but goes back to sleep when we place a hand on him.

I'm just worried about the future. I don't want him to get used to our bed ALL the time. I wonder how long we have before it's too late, ya know? We tried putting him in his crib on Friday night, and he woke up every hour crying in his sleep and wouldn't fall back to sleep on his own.

Message edited 8/27/2006 11:05:33 AM.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

anyone else?

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

My son didn't co-sleep with us until after he turned a year. He was always a great sleeper. But one week he had a stomach virus so we let him sleep in the bed, the next week he got a fever. Since he was in our bed for two weeks he liked being there, and we enjoyed having him with us. Since a whole year went by and he was growing up so fast I liked my "baby" being next to me. I didn't want to let him cio in his crib so I let him stay. After hearing everyone tell us it was bad I decided to get him his big boy bed right before he turned two years old. He still slept in our bed. I still didn't mind. But when we moved here to N.C. we got him to sleep in his own bed. I thought it was the right time for both of us. For a few days I had slept in his room on his floor while he slept in his bed to get him used to the new house and being in his own room. Although my back hurt, it was worth it because he sleeps there every night and doesn't get out of bed till morning. Now if I ask him to sleep in my bed he tells me "no mommy I sleep in my bed". He is 2 1/2. Don't let anyone tell you what is right or wrong. When you are ready to end the co-sleeping then go for it. I don't think it will harm a baby or child in any way as long as it is done safely. (meaning there is no danger of the baby being suffocated or rolled on) Now if I could only get my dog out of the bed so easily.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

We are having sleep issues at the moment and DD has been in and out our bed for the past couple of months...she starts off in her crib but will end up snuggled in with us if I am too tired to play the sleeping game with her in her own room.

I dont mind having her in the bed as I love cuddling her and knowing she is safe and sound, but I dont want her to not be able to sleep in her own room.

My brother slept in my parents bed until he was 4 1/2!!! and he is the most well adjusted adult you would ever meet so it didnt have any long term effects on him!

Its a tough call...I wish I knew the answer for you.....I dont know if there is a right time.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

we did it when she was 2 months and its been great. She took well to her crib and adjusted almost immediately.

I think it was tougher on me than on Julia - I would wake up to check on her often - but she was fine and asleep.

Try it - it may take a few days -for your baby to adjust - but in the longrun - its something that needs to be done - your child can't be in your room forever and i think it gave my daughter a sense of independence. When she was in our room - I would cater to her as soon as she woke up, was hungry, I was the first thing she saw in the morning, etc....
Now that she is in her room - she knows that it takes me a abit longer to get to her. She will entertain herself with some toys that i have in her crib etc....and in the morning I leave her to play while it gives me some time to get ready in the morning.

Good luck

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

We never co-slept either because we were both worried we would crush him and DH isn't a concious sleeper. If you feel ready to do it now then I would try now especially if he is basically sleeping through the night. They start to develope habits around 4-6 months so maybe try before he realizes he is with you guys. My parents let all of us in their bed growing up and the only one that actually slept with my mom (after my parents got divorced) was my youngest brother up until the age of 8. My mother tried so many things because she felt it was time for him to sleep in his room but he would be scared. If he wasn't in my mom's bed he would sleep on the couch. Now that my parents are married again he sleeps in his own room.

Re: When is the "right" time to stop co-sleeping?

If you really want the baby out of your bed do it sooner rather than later. My son will be three next month and we still co-sleep. My DH and I have no problem with it and we all sleep wonderfully