For many mothers and fathers alike a sleeping arrangement is decided upon before the baby is born. You either have a crib, bassinet or both on your baby shower gift list or even a co-sleeper or perhaps nothing. You envision baby sleeping with you or beside you or in their own room. When your infant is born, they are very much connected to the sounds of their mother and do not view themselves as separate individuals. This can lead to baby influencing your decision within the first few weeks and months of their arrival.

Once born our baby slept in a hospital bassinet beside our bed for the first two nights. For the next week he slept in an incubator and only came out for feedings to be held and comforted (Diaper changes were done without taking him out). Arriving home we had a bedside bassinet that was used for a total of two weeks. Thereafter it was extremely evident that both mom and baby got far more sleep when they slept together.

After a month, two at the most we invested in a king size bed and our baby has slept between us ever since. I do not foresee him leaving our bed anytime soon. Not only does our baby wake up every two hours during the night, he also has trouble falling asleep for naps and staying asleep. I have tried and tested several baby sleep arrangements or techniques and concluded that each arrangement truly depends on your babies temperament, your tolerance level and living circumstances. If your baby rarely fusses and is content sleeping separately there is little reason to bring him into your bed. However if your baby does not sleep through the night, moving the crib into your room can help. It can reduce the amount of time you are both awake for feedings and any diaper changes as your baby is very close by.

Always keep the lights low and communication to a minimum. At most night feedings I manage to mumble "ssssh" and the first word is only spoken around 5 in the morning. I rarely do a diaper change and have a routine for times I need to because of diaper rash.

Unfastening the snaps prior to putting my baby to sleep, helps reduce any noise or disturbance during a nighttime diaper change. I am content to have our baby in our bed for as long as he needs the comfort. He is not an easy baby and I will do anything I can do to help support him in times of discomfort or pain. Sleep deprivation is not a healthy lifestyle, so I am working on finding ways that can meet both our needs. Sharing a bed is certainly one sleep technique that meets our need. Although he wakes up frequently, we both fall asleep fast after he has been comforted.

I have also moved his crib into our room so that he may have his own space yet still be close. We have not managed to 'child proof' the system. The crib legs do not meet flush with our bed, therefore there is gap between the crib mattress and our mattress. Our baby therefore still sleeps between us, but has his crib space when he is awake and active. Once we have the mattresses safely next to each other a different sleep technique will be tested. I will then slowly start laying him into the crib, once he has fallen asleep.

Knowing that my touch and sound are of great comfort to my baby I do have confidence that after a short trial, he will feel secure. After all I am only in rolling distance. There are several baby sleep arrangements that mothers can try. If you truly do not want your baby to cry himself to sleep, then holding him, if that is what he needs, until he falls asleep is the best sleep technique. A few years of mothering, of bonding and giving the comfort he needs develops a magnificent bond between mother and baby.