How we Co-Sleep & Side-Car with our Toddler (and plans for our newborn)

This is how we are currently co-sleeping with our son in his side-car crib (and have been for 6 months- prior he was just in our bed). When our second child is born we have absolutely no plans to move our son out of our room. I plan to keep a bassinet next to our bed and a safe co-sleeper in our bed. We will allow the baby to choose where he is most comfortable (I failed to mention the in bed co-sleeper in this video but we also used it with our first son).

I am in no way saying that this is the best option for your family... it simply is for ours. If you don't like it, don't watch! (Save yourself the time!!!)

We are also NOT AT ALL worried about him sleeping with us forever but any extra time that we can be close to our kids we happily take! We are open about it and is has not affected our marriage. If anything brought our family closer. And additionally a FAQ- YES, we still have an intimate relationship... mind you I am pregnant (-;

Let me know if you have any questions. I will do an answers video.

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[CandidMommy]

@Jessmcee You know... I thought the same thing PRIOR to having my son.  You should check out Jen's video on this (informationmommy)... she had the same typical mindset as you and did heaps of reasearch to learn that every word you typed is EXACTLY the opposite! Crazy but true. You should do a little research on it... you will be quite surprised! - or just watch her video... she even admits that she thought she was going into it to prove what you said is right- nope.

[gilewil]

I believe all parents should choose their own parenting style and have no probs with this but in my own opinion it is important in a child's development to let them have a bit of freedom and independence with regards their own room. They may end up too clingy and the transition to their own room eventually might be too alien a concept for them as they have been so used to being with you. Again this is my opinion - every parent has to find their own feet x

[nickiiraee]

why dont you share blankets?

[thephonez]

would any crib work for this? I co sleep but I want my daughter to have her own little area.. are there only certain cribs?

[TheCandidLadyVlog]

@MySweetBoyAnthony

[Hope1981ful]

I didn't co sleep because i was so scared however i live in a one br apt and my son's crib is right next to our bed. So i think that is some what co sleeping i'm not sure when i move into a bigger apt how i would feel letting my son sleep by his self we're not ready for that also. I think you are doing an awesome thing forget the haters do one you're happy and your kids that all that matters :)

[KattiesNo1Mommy]

Jen I have a question!! First, thank you for the video we now have our daughters crib next to our bed in the same fashion you do. My question, when I get into bed (I sometime work until 12am so she is already asleep) she wakes up to move over and cuddle with me and as much as I love it, some nights I would like a little space, any thoughts on how I can do this. I move her back to the crib and as soon as I get settled she is back in bed right next to me. Thanks for any advice and Merry Christmas

[Kelsey8587]

I wish my son would co sleep with us. He is a major ants in the pants at night though. We tried co- sleeping for about a month and none of us got any sleep at all. There has only been one time that he was able to sleep in bed with us and that was when he were in a hotel for the night. We did keep him in our room for quite some time though. He slept in the bassinet until he was 3 months old and then we moved him to the crib in our room until he was 14 months old.

[Nicoleveach]

I think the co sleeping idea is really cool and creative with the crib next to your bed like that

[missesrenegade]

people's reactions to co sleeping is really strange. What is more natural than mammals sharing a resting place where nurising and bonding take the strain off of mom and the trauma of separation off of baby? Human babies are not fully developed when they come out of the womb. Co sleeping may not be for everyone, but it's certainly not strange, dangerous (SIDS is more likely in a crib

) or "dirty" as someone called it. Best to you and your family.

[natrat1109]

my brother and i are 8 years apart and we both slept in the bed with our mom our dad snores so he slept on the couch but he slept in the bed untill he was 6 or 7 i slept in the bed untill i was 6 and we both turned out just fine

[psrini08]

Nice video ! What are the pillows supported on ? I have a similar arrangement except I have no idea on what to support the pillows on; there is a gap between our bed frame and the crib and I worry the pillows I put might through to the carpet below. Are foams a good idea ?

[jfishbar]

Kudos to you for being able to sleep with your babies!! I could not sleep well with them in my bed. Every little noise and movement would wake me up :( I love the cuddles but had to put them in their own bed. All 3 of my babies slept in a bassinet beside my bed then around 3 months or so they started to sleep in their crib. I think they slept better too on their own, maybe my hubby and I moved to much LOL Good video and your right everyone does whats right for their family :)

[KAvilez90]

love this video! I started following your videos and love them all..! I am expecting baby number 2 in september and have been looking for a way to continue co sleeping with my son and new little baby boy,!

[melkingcat]

I didn't co-sleep with either of my children but I have no problem with it if thats what you want to do. Whatever works.

But dogs in the bed....ewwwww....that makes my skin crawl. Your bed looks utterly feral.

[dypsajne]

As for me being overprotective and insecure, I would love to have my own bed back but I agreed to be a parent. That means my childrens need come before mine, so if my kids need the all night momma buffet, then so be it. And if they need momma at night to sleep with for a few years, bring it on. Overal their youth is so fleeting and short, we can sacrifice for our kids. We will be sidecarring a crib this weekend, thanks candidmommas :)

[dypsajne]

My son is 10, we coslept until he was 5 or 6 out of nessecity ( we only had one bed.) He never had a lovey, never sucked his thumb, never threw fits or had issues ( even though he is classed as high functioning autistic.) We currently sleep with our 8 month old since birth. She is way ahead of other babies her age, and is very independent. I fully believe cosleeping helps children feel secure and let's them know they are valued as individuals while teaching important social skills.

[LiesieK]

We are planning to move him to his own room at a year though but we will see how it goes.

[LiesieK]

I believe everyone should do what they are comfortable with. My son is 7 months old and he is currently sleeping in our room in his crib, if he gets really fussy, i will take him into bed with us for an hour or so until he has calmed down. We were planning on moving him to his own room at 6 months but i still do not feel comfortable with him sleeping in a different room than us. He was born at 30 weeks and was in NICU for 2 months so i am so afraid something happens to him

[babytaylorful]

my understanding of this as an outsider... is u are a worker during the day... and ur son isnt with u... my 15 month old daughter has me allll day to herself at home... to cuddle to lay on to crawl over and sometimes nap with... i do work... just my work is either from home or in the evenings... my point anyway is at the end of a long day... its good for us to be apart and have a good long sleep in our own beds... i dont disagree with what ur doing... altho its definantly not for me..

[yeahdudewhat]

I never thought about putting the crib beside the bed that way! That would open up so much room on our bed!!!! Thanks for the idea!!!!

[sanjapanja]

@CandidMommy Don't worry about the baby waking up. The baby will be used to all your noises by the time it's born. I think that's why they are able to hear so early on in the pregnancy.

[kelly4918]

This is so cute i just love it. My son sleeps with me and my husband as well it works for us to:)

[drpeppercey68]

We never make our bed lol and we each have our own blankets as well. My little girl sleeps with ud as well. Her room is on the other side of the house and I just don't feel right with her on the other side of the house. many people think that this is a bad thing but it works for us! I mean it's not like they sleep with us ;)

[g3chico]

2 years of breast feeding?