Co-Sleeper Experience or Advice?

[aphlbrck]

Hi Mamas,

I'm considering getting a co-sleeper for this baby as none of my babies have been able to go or stay asleep unless they are being touched by me and I never sleep well when they're in bed with us. Have any of you used a co-sleeper? What are your experiences? And, would you recommend a particular kind or brand?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[crunchymom2b]

We have the original Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper that we used until DS was 6 months. He could have lasted much longer in it but we started bed sharing then. We plan to use a co-sleeper/bassinett again for the first few months this time, but we just got a king size bed so the original won't fit any longer.

Have you looked at the ones you keep in the bed with you as well? Not sure how good they are but it's something to look at.

Oh, we couldn't get the co-sleeper to line up perfectly with our bed but it didn't make a huge difference.

[Christina]

We used a regular crib and attached it to our bed as a side car. It worked great and we loved it. I'm out and using my phone right now but I can post pictures of our set up later.

[chach4]

i got an arms reach cosleeper for a reasonable price on craigslist and used it at the beginning, for about 6 weeks. it was handy to have him so close to nurse at night. and its also nice to have it now we use it as pack and play. i wouldn't ahve spent the $150 for a new one as we dind't use it that long, but its ok.

[Christina]

Ok, here was out set up last time. Sorry, I took the picture when I hadn't put anything in the crib yet.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a383/trkeyboy/IMG_0678-1.jpg



We will be doing the same thing this time only with a different crib since we got rid of that one not knowing we were going to have more. But it will basically be set up the same way. I LOVED this! Lizzie could sleep and I could be right there with her, then I could scoot her over to nurse and scoot her back over to sleep. As she got older sometimes she would just roll over into bed with me. We kept it like this until she was about 18 months old and then we put the crib back together and she got her own room.

[LittleThingsMama638]

We used a PNP for both DS and DD. I wanted a mini arms reach cosleeper with DD so we'd have more space in our room, but couldn't find one for a decent price. I'd like to get one this time if I can find one for cheap. I ended up sticking DD in our bed a lot because I hated having to try to pull her out of the PNP, and she loved to cuddle.

How long were ya'll able to use the cosleeper? we used the PNP with DD until 6 months when she started pulling up and standing all the time. She was about 12lbs. Can a cosleeper last that long?

[Christina]

How long were ya'll able to use the cosleeper? we used the PNP with DD until 6 months when she started pulling up and standing all the time. She was about 12lbs. Can a cosleeper last that long?

Lizzie coslept with us until she was 18 months old, we could have actually gone longer but by that time DH and I wanted our space.

[kej]

I was handed down an Arms Reach cosleeper which I used for 2 babies and I loved it. It didn't line up height-wise with our high bed but it was great. I would recommend it for anyone.

[tcmt81]

Due date crashing here.. I have a full size arm's reach cosleeper and use it until baby can sit up unassisted, which was 8 months with my first DD. Very happy with it.

[crunchymom2b]

Angie, where are you located? We're selling our original co-sleeper to get a smaller one.

We used the full size co-sleeper until DS was 6 months, but it could have lasted much longer.

Our 75lb dog fit nicely in it lol

[aphlbrck]

Thanks ladies for all of your advice! Sounds like if we're going to get a co-sleeper arms reach is the way to go (I checked ebay and there's no shortage). We're also considering moving the crib beside the bed as suggested by Christina--that's a great idea that never occurred to me. It's really nice to have such knowledgeable mamas so easily accessible!

[pkaskaggs]

We used a PNP for both DS and DD. I wanted a mini arms reach cosleeper with DD so we'd have more space in our room, but couldn't find one for a decent price. I'd like to get one this time if I can find one for cheap. I ended up sticking DD in our bed a lot because I hated having to try to pull her out of the PNP, and she loved to cuddle.

How long were ya'll able to use the cosleeper? we used the PNP with DD until 6 months when she started pulling up and standing all the time. She was about 12lbs. Can a cosleeper last that long?

i got the mini for the same reasons...more space! only prob was that it didn't last us very long. my son was 9lbs 7oz and he outgrew that thing with in a few months. i would have loved to have the regular one so that i could have used it longer.

[marthathecakelady]

Just which ever one you get double check the recalls and make sure you take care of the fix. Basically make sure you have it put together right. :) Sounds silly but at least 10 people didn't have it right. Thankfully no babies have been injured yet by parents mistakes with these! http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11187.html

But this co-sleeper bassinet (http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml08/08378.html) Is one to really watch! 2 babies have actually died in this one!


I am passionate about recalls (it is my job at our consignment sale - recall specialist) especially when it comes to the one place where a baby is supposed to be safest..... :)

[tibeca]

I didn't like our cosleeper and simply preferred to have baby in bed with us. We have the arm's reach mini and I didn't like that our baby wasn't on the same height as me (due to the "ledge" that makes it more like a bassinet. I preferred having baby in bed with me. A "sidecar" would probably have worked better for us.

[jemilyon]

I didn't like our cosleeper and simply preferred to have baby in bed with us. We have the arm's reach mini and I didn't like that our baby wasn't on the same height as me (due to the "ledge" that makes it more like a bassinet. I preferred having baby in bed with me. A "sidecar" would probably have worked better for us.

Same here. We push our bed up against a wall then its baby me and dh (though sometimes he is on the couch). I dont drink or do drugs or take meds so i am always hyper aware of los presence. It works well for us.

[LittleThingsMama638]

Angie, where are you located? We're selling our original co-sleeper to get a smaller one.

We used the full size co-sleeper until DS was 6 months, but it could have lasted much longer.

Our 75lb dog fit nicely in it lol

I'm in VA. Is the full size co-sleeper smaller than a PnP? DH won't agree to anything unless it gives us more space than the PnP does.

Same here. We push our bed up against a wall then its baby me and dh (though sometimes he is on the couch). I dont drink or do drugs or take meds so i am always hyper aware of los presence. It works well for us.

I wish we could do this, neither Dh or I sleep well with a baby in the bed. DD used to roll around and attack DH in the middle of the night when she coslept with us for a few months. He got frustrated that she wouldn't leave him alone, and I never got any sleep because I was worried about him rolling on her not noticing that she cuddling with him. No matter how high up we put her, she'd wiggle down and roll into him. It was insane. And *I* can't sleep with them on the other side of me, I worry they are going to fall.

[jemilyon]

I'm in VA. Is the full size co-sleeper smaller than a PnP? DH won't agree to anything unless it gives us more space than the PnP does.

I wish we could do this, neither Dh or I sleep well with a baby in the bed. DD used to roll around and attack DH in the middle of the night when she coslept with us for a few months. He got frustrated that she wouldn't leave him alone, and I never got any sleep because I was worried about him rolling on her not noticing that she cuddling with him. No matter how high up we put her, she'd wiggle down and roll into him. It was insane. And *I* can't sleep with them on the other side of me, I worry they are going to fall.

I would never ever ever put any baby next to dh!! They just dont Have that instinct. Its the wall, baby, me, then dh. I do it til the baby is ready to sleep on their own. Ds was perfectly fine at 3 mo. Dd wasnt out til 14 mo. Im hoping the newbie will be somewhere between but ill know when the time is right. :)

[sandyj21]

I Used a mini arms-reach co-sleeper for 3 children. I loved it. For most recent little one my Sister in Law bought me a brand new full sized one. Even better! I would be crazy without a co-sleeper. My husband doesnt want the baby in our bed so this is a great option. :thumbsup: