My son for the MOST part sleeps through the night a few bad nights here and there... the issue is.. is when he does wake up he wants to sleep in bed with me which is fine BUT he wants to literlly be on top of me when hes falling asleep! is this horrible???
All three of my children do that and honestly, I love it. It reminds me of how I use to kangaroo with them in NICU. Granted I don't get much sleep when it happens but usually, I let him or her sleep until they're back in true sleep mode and then I carry them back to their crib. Like you, it doesn't happen very often so for the few times I need to hold them, it doesn't bother me.
When you're deciding on situations like this, just remember that you are teaching him every single habit he's going to have while he is growing. If you teach him that he can sleep with mommy, good luck getting him to sleep peacefully in his own bed. I think that every mother needs to look into the future when they're making decisions that affect future "breaking" when they decide that they don't want to promote the behaviors/actions any longer. My kids have slept with me only a handful of times apiece, and it's been when they were really not feeling well. I always made sure I told them that it was only for that particular night because we all sleep in our own beds. I have two sleepers that are 4 and 5, that I lay down at 8:00 very easily and do not get up at ALL until 7ish. I'll tell you what, my kids' and my relationship is stronger because of it since we don't have all the headaches I read about other mothers having with those nighttime fights, and I'll tell you what, my husband and I have a GREAT sex life since we pretty much can have sex any night we want after the kids are put to bed. That to me is well worth establishing good sleep habits from the VERY beginning. Think about it, and then decide if you really want to allow to sleep with you, and ON YOU.
I have a 24 months old and my kiddo is a great sleeper. But she would sleep over me and then I roll her over and she is off for the night. She does wake up occassionally and she would scream from her room mamma..mamma..I go to her room and do the same. Sometime if I am sleepy i sleep before her...:-)
Well, I see both sides to this. My son (2 1/2) has never slept in our bed. He's been in his crib since he was home from the hospital (spent a week in the bassinet with a bili-blanket on for jaundice). My bed is too high for him to climb on, so that helps. Both my brother (now 25) and my youngest sister (now 15) slept with my parents and it wasn't a habit that was easy to break! My mom actually ended up getting a full size bed in my sisters room so she (my mom) could actually get some sleep in there. SO, after seeing that, I wouldn't encourage my son sleeping with, much less ON me. Lol.
That being said, just the other night, I said to my husband after I went in and checked on our older son, "I see him there and I just want to go over and cuddle him all night." He has a toddler bed. Then, the very next night he woke up with a nightmare and I did lay down with him. It was awesome to have him snuggle with me for comfort. I haven't done it since as I don't want to start a habit, but anytime you can get some cuddles from an active toddler, it's a bonus. If it's not that often and you (AND hubby) are ok with him being in your bed. Let him fall asleep on you and move him back in his own bed or off of you.
Hey J., I don't think it's horrible at all. It is like holding him while laying down. He probably wants held. I have never refused my kids in my bed if they wake up at night. We have slept with all of our babies and we have 6. We transition them to big boy/girl beds at 2. They have all been excited to get their own beds. My now 4 yr old was hardest to get out. I think the key to this is that the adults are on the same page. They grow quick, hold em while you can.
We are in the same boat. 99% of the time there is no issue but the 1% there is, I cannot calm them down and we end up going into the spare room and we sleep snuggled. Although I don't get a very good night sleep cause I am always making sure he/she won't fall off the bed. Too me... it's not a regular occurance and he may just need some extra mommy time. After he falls alseep, try and get him to roll off and sleep next to you. Now if you find that he is waking more frequently and wants mommy time, you may need to revisit. Good luck.
It's not awful at all! Inconvenient maybe, but not awful. If it works for you and your little guy, I say keep doing it. Our kids really are only young once. Can you move him off you after he falls asleep? Does he have a lovey? That may help. I don't know though. My almost 12 mo. old daughter has a blankie, but she won't nap unless she's on top of me or dh. I don't mind so much since she's incredibly independant when she's awake. There are a lot of people that will tell you that co-sleeping is awful, but don't listen to them. The bottom line is, none of us live in your house. YOU need to do what is best for YOU!!!!!
My son does this too, and he is 2 1/2 now. I think its personal preference, and if you don't mind it, go for it. I slide my son off once he's snoring deep and loud and I know he's down for the count. He sleeps in our bed mostly, and just recently have started the transition of putting him in the crib w/ a portable dvd close by with his fave films. He still wakes occasionally to come sleep w/ us, and honestly I miss him when he's in the crib too. But I realize he's getting older and needs to learn to sleep on his own, but I think acclimating him in, and not leaving him to scream is better. Someday he'll not want to sleep w/ mom & dad anymore! So for now, everyone's happy, and you should do whatever makes you comfortable. Snuggle away :)
