Using arm as a pillow co-sleeping
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Thank you so much Maria!! 💖 so you have your baby flat and not under your arm?
We have been cosleeping since 6 weeks, for reflux as well. It feels scary to start doesn't it? But then the more I speak to people the more I've realised how many people do it, it's like a secret no one likes to mention. Have you tried chest sleeping? That's the only thing that worked for our refluxxy baby from 6 weeks to 12 weeks (she has now transitioned to on her back next to me slightly inclined on her side but only a very small angle so basically her back). Chest sleeping was great for those 6 weeks as she could be safely on her front, which helped so much with the reflux and both me and her slept so much better, and was pretty comfy when I got used to it. Tbh I actually found it more comfortable than the C Curl I'm doing now she is next to me! The "Cosleepy" account on Insta has some really good resources for chest sleeping.
Yeah just lay him down flat as normal. After holding for a while (cause he does not burp in his sleep) most of the air escapes. But at 2m it was sometimes a matter of putting him down, he would get reflux, pickup, he'd spit up and continue sleeping before putting him down again. 🤷
Ps I do the same re 30 min upright but never settled in the next to me so maybe I’ll try to elevate. Thanks again! X
I have just been diving into this topic, not sure why I didn't before but the book "reflux matters" has been interesting, as well as "the baby reflux lady's survival guide". They both ultimately help you break down the cause of reflux, it can be anything from air intake at latch to cow milk allergy. Check em out maybe you can find out why
Thank you Catherine!! When you chest sleep is that skin to skin. I was contemplating this but was worried what was safe to wear or not? And how do you stop your baby from potentially falling off the chest if you’re asleep? I’m probably overthinking it! Thank you both for being so kind and supportive! I did used to sleep my baby at a slight angle too but the midwife told me off and I felt like a terrible mother but it’s great to know I’m not alone & this works safely and fine for you both too x
The FB group UK co sleepers has info on this. An arm under their head/neck is generally not advised as if they move a tiny bit it can cause positional asphyxiation. It would likely not be enough of a movement to wake you so could happen without you knowing
Reflux is really frustrating and unfortunately all official advice is rather unhelpful in resolving the actual issue (at least I've found "it's normal they grow out of it" to be). I've done chest sleeping too, if you can place yourself in the middle of the bed so you have space you may find it easier. I would notice if he was shifting so wasn't worried about that but it's not for everyone.
DM me if you want to chat about it, I'm curious of other's experience with it as no one in my nct group has it
I also have to do this too for the same reason and have done since newborn and she’s not 3 months old! X
Thanks Jodie! So you use your arm as a pillow too? Just wondering if I should position her on her side and facing me instead ?
Yes I use my arm as pillow, and sometime during the night I have to swap sides as she becomes uncomfortable as she sleeps on her side so I do have to swap arms and face towards her x
So I followed the chest sleeping guide on Cosleepy on Insta. Basically propped up with pillows at a slight angle, in middle of bed with baby on their front on chest. I wore a sleep bra and button up cardigan, as you can't have blankets on top so gets chilly! Would def recommend looking at that insta account it's an amazing resource
@Catherine thanks Catherine! What should my baby wear? Is the sleep bag ok or make her two warm as she will have my body heat too?
Nothing wrong with cosleeping if it works for you and it's safe. My baby has reflux too so I end up holding him for 15-30m at night after each feed, then he slept fine flat. I've been reading into this and apparently research hasn't shown evidence that elevated head in sleep does anything but we lifted our next to me too just in case it did help.