A Q for the cosleepers

[pineapplemae]

Hey strangers : ) I dropped off the radar for a while (new jobs are hard) but I have a question: if you cosleep, have you left LO with someone else overnight? If so, how did you prepare them? I want to join H for a wedding in June, but we would have to leave V with my parents (who she is obsessed with) but I don't know how to go about it since she always sleeps with us.

[joshan1719]

I've left both kids with my mom before, and my daughter has spent the night with my SIL. The kids just slept in the bed like they normally would and there weren't any issues. I don't know how helpful that was.

[amadine23]

We still co-sleep, and no, we haven't left DS overnight mostly for that reason. If we left him with grandparents, he would be up every 1-2 hours for them all night...I don't think they would appreciate that. Also, he still nurses often at night, and I have had mastitis so many times, that would worry me (even if I expressed). I would love to leave him with DH to go by myself to a wedding in July, but I'm just not sure the logistics are worth it, so we will probably all go.

[Deleted]

How committed are you to cosleeping? Because a June wedding gives you time to change that situation if you want to.

[aaemommy]

We didn't cosleep so it may not be the same. But I know whenever A stays the night away from us, his sleeping arrangements, patterns, and routines are different. Meaning he didn't have the same bedtime routine or even the same bedTIME, didn't always have his pacifier or lovie, obv different bed/ room. He doesn't usually have a problem with it. And if it doesn't go very well, it's only for a night. I wouldn't hesitate to go. But like I said it may be different with co-sleepers.

[briarrose]

We have never left DS with anyone else. Sorry that is not helpful.

[cdseno]

We don't cosleep, but my oldest has always been one to come in our bed randomly. When he sleeps at my parent's house they put a twin mattress on the floor next to their bed. He's not on the same level as them, but he knows they are close if he needs them. For a little one who wouldn't stay on a mattress, maybe a pack and play right next to the bed?

[afmama22]

We cosleep and have left her with my parents on several occasions. She just sleeps with them, no issues. I wouldn't worry about it if you're not interested in changing your situation, I'd just bite the bullet and let them keep her. She will probably do better than you think!

[pineapplemae]

cdseno that is a good idea! A little floor bed or pack and play might work well.
aaemommy that is really interesting. It makes sense that they would recognize the new place means a new routine.
@amadine so you are in the same boat as I am. I would take V if I could, but it's a "no kids allowed" wedding and there wouldn't be anyone to watch her
@becominggold I am considering doing that, but our living situation makes it difficult (which is why we cosleep lol). It might be time, though.
Thanks for the advice everyone!

[amadine23]

pineapplemae I'm really not looking forward to taking him to the wedding. It won't be fun at all! I'd honestly rather skip the wedding, but it's a good friend and I promised her I'd be there.... Good luck! Hopefully you are able to make it work and go!

[withsilverwings]

We co-sleep but haven't left him overnight yet. He will fall asleep with someone else though as my Mom has gotten him down for naps before, so if we were to leave him it would likely be with my parents as he would be the most comfortable with them, and my Mom wouldn't have a problem sharing the bed with him

[gahorseygal]

We don't co-sleep but like aaemommy said - DD sees a new place as a different routine and does well. At home, she sleeps in a toddler bed. We tried to put her in the pack in play one night after painting a wall in her room and she slept terribly. However, at the grandparents she has no issues still sleeping in a pack and play! She just got back from my parents and she took a later nap, went to bed later, and slept in later in the morning. Have tried to get that to happen at home and we can't make it work! She will also eat foods at grandma and grandads that she won't eat at home! Little stinker.

So I say try it. You may be totally surprised. But also it can depend on your family. My parents are easy going and my mom especially is great with babies. She will figure it out without bothering me. My MIL is not as confident and will call and ask a lot of questions but still doesn't mind if DD has a rough night or something.

[shevacc]

We cosleep and I've not yet left DS, but he does just fine napping on his mat at daycare. I agree that kids are generally good about being flexible in different situations.

[pineapplemae]

gahorseygal lol toddlers are stinkers! Vi can be the same way. I think my mom would be great, and Vi love love looooves her hopefully it wouldn't be too bad.
shevacc they are flexible for other people, huh? Lol

Thanks for the input guys!

[weeklyplanner]

I'd go. I think weddings are a very important life event and it's an honor to be invited. I try not to skip them.

Since you know there is a good chance she won't sleep well, I'd also have a nice bottle of wine and a tray of brownies prepared as my "Thank you."

[pineapplemae]

weeklyplanner yes I think my parents would definitely appreciate that! I do really want to go, especially since they came to our wedding a few years ago. Aaaaaand it's going to be super fancy schmancy and that's always fun lol

[Courtniko]

We somewhat co sleep, and have never left DD overnight (overnights have never really been an option for us for logistical reason as well as DD sleeping reasons). That is about to change though since I am 38 weeks pregnant. We are having my SIL stay with us (we have no family any where near us) starting Monday so that DD can get comfortable with her, and DD can stay in familiar surroundings while we are at the hospital.

I say go to the wedding, everyone will survive. It could be a rough night, or it could turn out really well. It is worth a shot, and I would hate to miss a big event.