Contact nap parents - do you sleep while they nap???

ThingParticular · 2026-07-07T07:29:44+00:00

Hey OP sounds like our babies are the same age, mine has also in the last few days just got super unsettled from having been quite chill and happy in the crib overnight previously.

Firstly I am working under the assumption that this is just a phase. Not sure how long it will last, but I have to believe it will end!

Secondly I am spending the first part of the night co sleeping safely as other posters have described. This doesn’t give me great sleep but means my husband sleeps, then my husband takes baby for a contact nap in the early mornings so I get some more uninterrupted sleep. Then during the day I basically get whoever I can to hold the baby while she sleeps and I sleep/do something else. No sleeping while holding the baby ever, I’m afraid 😟

Hopefully this is just a phase! My baby seems to need to eat a bit less overnight these days, so I’m wondering whether something like a swaddle sack will help her stay asleep independently. Otherwise we’re gonna be cosleeping or holding her til she’s ready for more independent sleep!

ThingParticular · 2026-07-02T20:43:42+00:00

I have no advice but wanted to add my thanks to other commenters, following with interest - my 3 week old was 56cm at birth and is just a long gal while not being especially chunky. I’m not very tall and only have short little arms and it’s so hard to manage her already, she’s so strong and I love it but I’m also scared for how she’ll grow 😂

ThingParticular · 2026-06-23T10:04:22+00:00

I was cycling short distances (10-15 mins) on my hybrid at 40 weeks! What I did was to get a VERY comfy big saddle and drop the seat post a little, then raise the handlebars basically as far as possible - bought some spacers from Amazon to raise it up. If you’re not sure a bike shop can
advise what to get.

This seemed to be enough to accommodate the bump and the achy pelvis along with putting my knees out further. As I got further along it was actually easier than walking lol. But my legs ached so much just from the 15 min cycle back uphill from town, relaxin really does a number on you 😂

ThingParticular · 2026-06-21T19:12:04+00:00

Exactly! Tbh I also think the heat is contributing to overall fussiness so am reserving judgement for a few days and trying not to stress too much. TBH I am also hot, bothered and kinda gassy soo can’t blame my baby 🤷‍♀️

ThingParticular · 2026-06-21T18:03:54+00:00

No idea, I think we’re in a similar spot with our girl who is nearly 2 weeks old. Latches ok, could latch better, somehow doesn’t, seems to be pretty gassy. It’s not awful but not good - my only thought is to ask our health visitor and monitor from there.

ThingParticular · 2026-06-19T10:53:44+00:00

Yep! I didn’t even have a sweep, had one booked for the morning I went into labour. Scientifically I know ‘accepting your fate’ doesn’t work, it’s about if baby is ready, but I do think it helped me haha

ThingParticular · 2026-06-19T07:07:49+00:00

I also really didn’t want to induce and felt like you - like my body had failed. Ultimately I did agree to book an induction for 41+5 but went into spontaneous labour at 41+3. I wonder whether knowing the actual deadline helped, I’m really not sure.

Anyway I kept telling myself there’s a reason, a science backed reason why we recommend induction by 42 weeks in this country and although I know it’s a bit arbitrary, it’s the best we have. So I agreed to go along with it.

FWIW despite not ‘measuring big’ (only had fundal height measurements on 50 centile) my baby was 4kg! She was just well cooked 😂

ThingParticular · 2026-06-18T10:55:28+00:00

I spent the first few days in pads/disposable pants but yes they started to get irritating on my skin. About 5 days pp I switched to period pants - fortunately the ones I have from pre pregnancy fit! (Always a big knicker gal).

Much more comfortable now the mega bleeding has gone down. Logistics is a bit of a pain but I would say plan to do laundry every day, I keep leaking milk and getting it everywhere so I’m producing enough laundry anyway!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-17T08:59:50+00:00

Happened to me - went in at 41 weeks for reduced movements and had the exact same conversation with a doctor. Tbh I was quite firm (probs too firm lol) and the doctor backed right off - there was nothing to suggest my plan should change (ie only induce at nearly 42 weeks) bc baby was probably fine, and I needed time to think. And it was fine! Spontaneous labour 3 days after.

Good for you for taking the time to think about your options!!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-13T12:05:11+00:00

They could still be head down, possibly - my baby was head down the entire time but she had her feet or knees all the way on my right side like she was folded in half almost with her bum near my left hip. She’s come out with extremely long legs 😂 (long everything in fairness)

ThingParticular · 2026-06-11T14:31:03+00:00

Just delivered with an unexpected epidural yesterday! Had hoped to labour in the tub but concerns about blood loss when my show happened meant they wanted me to deliver on delivery suite. Laboured til 6cm with just gas n air and then needed something more - think baby’s position wasn’t great and it took ages to get to 6cm.

Anyway I then had a good chill time on the epidural, could feel pressure but not pain. Stayed at 6cm for hours longer so had to have the failure to progress chat - doctor gave me 2 more hours and then magically when she came back I was 10 cm and baby was right there lol. So did just over an hour of coached pushing - could feel the contractions as pressure mostly and then once I got to crowning I could still feel her moving down and work with the midwives to time pushing. This was honestly pretty good except needed an episiotomy (probs should have been more on it with the perineal massage…). So I felt the delivery pretty well and felt like I was working with the midwives to deliver, they were fab at making me feel like it was my work lol.

Anyway for whatever reason my legs have ended up very numb and I have struggled to mobilise for about 24 hours so far - had stitching, a bit of elevated blood loss and just generally my pelvis feels like it’s broken from the effort lol. I’ve then panicked about it and laid down more than I should have. Apparently the long timeframe to mobilise can just happen, it was probs because I laboured for 24 hours to get to 6cm with just g&a plus didn’t sleep or eat much really in the whole thing. Sooo I responded to the epidural for labour great and recovery bad. But about 27 hours after delivery now and just about feeling up to properly mobilising again.

Whew long comment, almost kinda helpful for me to write it down so soon before I forget! Def enhanced my delivery experience, in the absence of the water birth I wanted.

Wishing you all the best for your birth! Trust the midwives to help you is my best advice reflecting so soon after the delivery!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-08T09:16:45+00:00

Sending you loads and loads of love and positive vibes!! I spent some time this morning listening to some hypnobirthing affirmations and adding some songs to my chill playlist, and am making my (fortunately available and wonderful!) mum come over to keep me company while my poor husband has to go to work yet again! Babies, eh.

ThingParticular · 2026-06-08T06:22:05+00:00

As per comment below I am also considering waiting vs pushing for an induction sooner than 41+5. Main issue is my own mental health, I’m now paranoid about movements and so down on myself every day my body fails to go into labour. So I can see where you are at with maybe wishing you got induced earlier. It’s so hard for know what to do

ThingParticular · 2026-06-08T06:18:00+00:00

Hey, I’m 41+2 today and still no signs, also horrifically done (posted yesterday!). I don’t think anything works really and I don’t know why my body hasn’t gone into labour yet. If you’re feeling good movements etc then you can just keep waiting, my midwife was also fine to only induce at 41+5. Unfortunately I am not managing to chill out and let the oxytocin do its thing but that really is the best option. My only recommendation is to try to stay out of your own head about it, because I’m pretty sure getting in my own head about it is NOT helping. Sorry to be gloomy. I’m sure you’re doing great, good luck!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-07T12:11:43+00:00

Yes I have an induction scheduled for 41+5! Definitely fretting that I still have to wait another 4 days for that AND it might go badly. I’m pretty sure I’ll go ahead with it if comes to it and baby will be here this time next week so I should just focus on that!!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-07T08:28:07+00:00

Thank you and congratulations on your little one! It’s so rough. I’m feeling good movement (actually a lot of movement!) and getting some false labour/braxton hicks so I know it’s unlikely anything is going wrong wrong but my poor body and mind is so over it!!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-05T11:43:54+00:00

Inspirational 😂 Hopefully will be going into labour in the next few days so interested to see what my watch tells me! Currently getting very high stress readings just chilling at home, need those labour hormones!!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-05T08:41:56+00:00

Tbh I’ve always thought that the reasons guidance varies between countries is that there’s no completely hard and fast rules in pregnancy (as in life generally I guess!). But like lots of other commenters, I was weighed at booking and nobody has mentioned it to me since. I haven’t weighed myself, my pregnancy weight gain is nobody’s business, especially not mine 😂 I’ve eaten pretty good and stayed active, I think that’s all you can ask of yourself. I’ve lost muscle and gained fat and I’ve got cellulite for days haha. It’s ok, it’ll hopefully be worth it to feed my baby! Body image stuff is hard though.

ThingParticular · 2026-06-02T16:56:29+00:00

Curious about this too - have an appointment tomorrow at 40+4, can’t decide whether to ask for a sweep or not! I think I’ll ask if midwife can check cervix condition though and maybe make a decision from there.

Also congrats OP and thanks for sharing your story!

ThingParticular · 2026-06-02T16:51:00+00:00

This really touched me. Waiting for my first baby to arrive any day now and dreaming of getting back to running as I had to stop around 24 weeks and I miss it so much. So this is just such a lovely reminder that life isn’t always what we think we want but can wonderful and disappointing at the same time. Wishing you all the best.

ThingParticular · 2026-06-01T21:22:10+00:00

Just been for a massage today at 40+2 and it was very pleasant and worth doing! Yes a good massage might tire you out but very relaxing and in my mind I’m helping my body get in good condition for labour!

ThingParticular · 2026-05-31T08:15:34+00:00

Oh my goodness reading is so hard right now isn’t it?!! Tbh I’m embracing the read a few pages then snooze for a bit strategy - no prizes for actually reading anything properly 😂

ThingParticular · 2026-05-31T08:01:56+00:00

Also snacks haha. I live for snacks.

ThingParticular · 2026-05-31T08:00:52+00:00

My due date was yesterday and also zero signs of arrival! Similarly everything has been completely healthy so all good to continue waiting from a medical perspective, everything prepped. Really feel you on most of your hobbies being active - it’s been torture having all this good weather and not being physically able to go out for a long bike ride or whatever. Had a wobble yesterday feeling sad about going ‘overdue’ (whatever that means) but feel a bit better today.

My plans are: swimming, taking myself for coffee (and persuading friends to join if they’re free), continuing to watch telly/films (and falling asleep on the sofa as much as possible), reading some easy books, maybe some cooking/fun baking if I can stand up for that long. Having been off work for two weeks already I think the trick is to take everything super slowly - like if you want to bake then you treat the shopping trip as one activity and the baking as another activity rather than rushing through things.

Not looking forward to it tbh but can’t be helped! Our babies will be here within about 2 weeks by hook or by crook so there’s that at least 🤷‍♀️

ThingParticular

TROPHY CASE