To cosleep or not to cosleep?

[mom83]

I have a 16 month old who sleeps in his own crib and did really well until recently. Cutting molars of course, so he wants Mom or Dad all night. He has taken mostly formula during the night; We had given up on breastfeeding at one point but started again, but now this is his routine. I would love to start breastfeeding again at night and possibly cosleep, but He just wants to nurse and nurse, then not go back to sleep. Last night we tried. He got up at 330 and did not go back to sleep until 530. ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am very inexperienced with breastfeeding/cosleeping and have little support. Thanks to all who donate their time:)

[oomaumau04]

I started cosleeping for this reason....I now put my dd down on her own at night, and then when she wakes up for the first time, we cosleep the rest of the night. I hate getting up at night, and we both sleep better this way. Most of the time, I don't even know how many times she ate at night, because I hardly woke up. It's great. However, you should realize that it takes only 3 nights to establish a new bedtime routine....if you don't want your ds sleeping with you, I would suggest just suffering through this phase. It WILL end....but cosleeping works well for some families. :)

[mom83]

Thank you so much for responding! I have tried this a few times. I put him in bed with me and he nurses for a while then thinks its time to get up for the day. And its only 3am! I am willing to take the time if it will work. Im glad you have done this before. I am afraid and don't want to start bad habits that will make things worse. I guess since he has not slept through the night but twice, its worth a try.

[yasmel]

I don't know what to tell you, I share the bed w/ my 7 yr. old and my 14 month old. What I do sometimes is nurse the 14 month old and once he falls asleep I move myself to the foot of the bed so I can sleep a little longer since he won't smell the boobies.

[hotlama]

We keep the light in our room dimmed and have a clock that ticks on our wall. I think that with the dim lights and constant ticking of the clock, dd seems to understand that it's time to sleep. I think that the dim lighting helps because when she wakes up, she can see me. It's not as scary as waking up in a room that it totally dark.