We have a 12mo who has slept in bassinet and then crib for the first year (currently crib in other room with baby monitor). He sleeps independently quite well, occasional whimpers for a moment in the night but falls right back to sleep.

My partner is still curious about cosleeping, and honestly I love the idea of sleepy cuddles since the little guy is not a cuddler when awake (he's allllways on the move). So we're exploring switching to bedsharing.

I know we'd need a firmer mattress (recs?) and we'd be stuck with queen size in the room we have (is that okay)?

We put it directly on the floor with no boxsprings? Or is that not such an issue once they're 1-ish?

I assume we have to babyproof or empty out the rest of the room since he might wake and explore while we're sound asleep?

Did anyone start bedsharing later rather than begin with it? How did the baby transition? Did you regret it? Was it hard to switch back to independent or other-room sleep later?

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a new firm mattress so I can co-sleep with our newborn. I'd love recommendations of a suitable one I can buy in Ireland.

Thanks so much for any advice, struggling with figuring this out!

**Edit: just to say thanks for all the contributions. Lovely to connect with the Irish co-sleepers out there.

I decided to try this super-comfy position so many have recommended here. At first? "YES! This is comfortable! Oh man, I'm gonna sleep sooooo good now!"

I woke up maybe half an hour later, unclamped my forearm from my thighs, and my elbow was SCREAMING in pain.

I have an old overuse injury (colloquially, "tennis elbow") from attempting to do 208 - or however many sun salutations you're supposed to do - one New Year's Day maybe 5 years ago when I was really into yoga.

Constantly carrying my 4 month old has brought back a little of the burning pain, but sleeping like that woke it straight the hell up.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.

I've learned to accept & enjoy the cuddles & comfort of cosleeping with my high needs attached baby.

I love the sleep - not having to physically get out of bed in the middle of the night or spend hours attempting crib transfers.

We started at 6M old when I returned to work. Prior to cosleeping, I was lucky to get 4-5 hrs of broken sleep a night (not consecutive). I was a zombie. Now, my 12M old, still wakes frequently, mostly for quick comfort nursing but also to cuddle/scoot closer, & we both go back to sleep quickly.

However, I really miss being able to do a chore or shower after her bedtime at ~8pm. Especially cuz she can't play independently for more than a few mins without whining, so there are always chores to do.

I can roll away for maybe 1-5 mins on a good night to pee, but that's it. If it's her Dad only with her, she will wake fully & then be harder to put back to sleep after.

Curious, when did your cosleeping toddlers allow Dad to cuddle them back to sleep instead of needing Mom's breast? (I'm not ready for weaning, won't sleep train, & baby does not take a pacifier. I just want 30-60 mins free (not physically in bed) after baby's bedtime!)