My DD co-sleeps with us. So sleeping through the night won't be in the cards until she sleeps in her own bed. We're fine with that and love the nighttime closeness and cuddling, as well as the easy feedings. I don't even have to sit up to feed her usually, so it's much easier than when she was a newborn. I really have no burden to wean her off of nighttime feedings. I get 8-9 hours of sleep out of almost every 24 hour day.

But ever since she was 7 weeks old, I get people asking me if she's sleeping through the night yet. I think that it's one of the most common questions. Maybe they feel sorry for me? Maybe they think that I must be sleep deprived since I'm a new parent? Usually I try to smile and give a non-commital response like, "She does really well." (Because she generally is a good sleeper, she doesn't wake up every hour screaming normally)

You other co-sleeping mamas as well as moms with kids who didn't sleep through the night early on, how did you deal with those well meaning questions directed your way? Oh, and by the way some people would be horrified if I told them that Hannah sleeps with us.

Oh, and also I had someone tell me outright that my daughter wakes up during the night "too much." (Hence the fact that I should probably be more vague in answering questions) I guess it's the judgment that frustrates me.

Well, for one thing...I've come to accept this as just one of those questions parents of babies are asked. They don't know what else to say, KWIM?

I respond as you mentioned "does quite well" or more often I say "Oh goodness no, mine don't sleep through the night until they're weaned after 1 yr" hehe double whammy to 'them' in most cases..whatever, it shuts 'em up *grins*

I always respond with a smile and let them know (by my smile and tone) I am fine with the way things are.

There's always the vague "oh you know, some nights are better than others, but we're doing all right"

Don't know if I helped any, but, at least you know you're not alone :? Just let it roll girly...just let it roll :)

Ask them what they mean by through the night. From what I've read, the medical community counts five hours as through the night, unlike most people's seven to eight.

I just say we get up a few times, nothing too major. But that is after we get to sleep! The past week we've gotten to four hours straight the first sleep at night, then two to three the second. However, we can't get to sleep around here before eleven it seems and most nights it is midnight or a little later.

oh and never mention times...just say you never look at the clock so have no idea how often she actually wakes
turn a clock away if you must to make this one true ;)

Ditto on what Tara said... I don't worry to much about what they think..! I am the mom. Not to sound rude. My mom actually said once you should let her cry more. I understand where she is coming from, but this is probably my last baby & I am savoring every last minute of nursing that I can... like I said once before, I'll sleep when they are in college :lol:

I don't co-sleep (I've been afraid to, since I've been known to punch DH in my sleep, lol!), but I just thought of a way for you to give an honest answer without lying. "She stays in bed all night now." If you nurse her laying down, like it sounds that you do, then that's true. Really, that's just one of those questions that people ask because they don't know how else to ask if you're getting your own and your baby's schedules to line up.

A lot of people who don't co-sleep are like me. I don't disapprove of it; I just don't trust myself to. I don't care what anyone else does as long as it works for their family and it's not a sin, lol. Actually, I was thinking about co-sleeping the other day, thinking there's a pretty good chance that Jesus co-slept with Mary and Joseph. I'm thinking that was probably the culture of Israel at the time, but don't quote me on that!

You're too funny! LOL. Actually that reminds me of the Bible verse where the man was visited by his neighbor at midnight. He said, "I can't get up now, my children are with me in bed." [rofl]

Yes, I do nurse laying down. So maybe that's a possible answer.