**Heidi Montag Opens Up About Co-Sleeping Struggles**
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Heidi Montag has candidly discussed her challenges with co-sleeping, describing the experience as “awful” after years of disrupted sleep with her first child. The former reality TV star, known for her role on MTV’s The Hills, shared her views during a recent appearance on The Squeeze podcast. Montag, who is married to Spencer Pratt, has two sons, Gunner, aged eight, and the three-year-old Ryker.
Reflecting on her experience, Montag revealed that she attempted co-sleeping with her eldest son, Gunner. However, after years of disturbed nights, she ultimately found it unsustainable. “I did co-sleeping with my older son, and he’s just started being a good sleeper. And he’s 8,” Montag explained. She acknowledged that while many parents swear by co-sleeping, it became increasingly difficult for her as Gunner grew. “He wouldn’t sleep alone at 3, 4. And I can’t sleep with him. He wakes me up, he kicks me. It was impossible,” she added.
Montag’s comments highlight the struggles many parents face when trying to balance necessary sleep with their children’s needs. She decided to change her approach for her second child, Ryker, opting to use the “Taking Cara Babies” sleep programme to foster a healthier sleep routine. This decision to prioritise “sleep hygiene” stemmed from her realisation that her previous experience with Gunner was untenable.
“I didn’t have the heart to do sleep training. Because I was like, ‘I can’t just let him cry!’ I just can’t do that,” she noted, revealing her hesitance to adopt more rigorous sleep training methods. Instead, Montag found that the sleep programme helped her establish a solid routine, which became crucial as she managed responsibilities of motherhood while balancing work commitments.
The former reality star highlighted the reality many parents face: the struggle to carve out personal time and space when balancing the demands of work and parenting. “You don’t realise that when you have to work, you have to sleep. If you don’t have to work, great. You can just nap when the baby naps and do that, which I did the first time,” she explained. “But I couldn’t the second time. I was like, ‘I’ve got to be up. I’ve got to be working. I need to do this.’ You’ve got to take care of the first one too.”
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt became parents for the first time in October 2017 when they welcomed Gunner Stone. Their family expanded in November 2022 with the arrival of their second son, Ryker. The couple, who met while filming the reality show, have been together since 2009 and have navigated the complexities of parenthood together.
In previous statements, Spencer Pratt has expressed how fatherhood has reshaped his life and priorities. During an interview with Today’s Parent, he remarked, “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I think I finally found my calling … everything now is about looking toward the future and making it good for him. It’s not about me anymore.” His sentiments echo the enduring changes many parents experience as they adapt to the responsibilities of raising children.
As parents, both Montag and Pratt are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for their sons, but they also bring unique perspectives on the challenges and joys of parenting. Montag’s recent insights into co-sleeping reflect the complexities that often accompany parenting decisions. Her willingness to share her experiences emphasises that every family’s approach is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
In her quest for better sleep for herself and her children, Montag underscores an important dialogue around parenting choices, encouraging others to consider their own needs while navigating the often chaotic world of parenthood.