I
know that people have strong opinions about co-sleeping but we found a happy
medium. I strongly recommend using a
co-sleeper that attaches/sits next to your bed for several months after baby is
born. We used the Arm’s Reach Original
Co-sleeper with both of our children.
With our son we placed it right next to our bed. First on my husband’s side because I was
recovering from a c-section so when he was hungry my husband would give him to
me so I could breastfeed him. Later we
moved it back to my side but I wasn’t able to get any sleep because he moved so
much so we moved him back to my husband’s side.
Our
son was in the co-sleeper for probably close to 8 months in The Original
Co-Sleeper® Bassinet. We started
transitioning him to the crib around 6 months but it took us about 8 months to
get him used to his crib. For several
months he woke up so often that it was easier for us to keep him in our room.
(This waking up every few hours sadly continued until he was over 3 years
old…he still wakes up to this day.)
When
our daughter was born, we put the co-sleeper at the foot of the bed (because we
had a different bed frame and there was no footboard). This minimized the disturbances from
movement that all of us experienced.
She slept so well that we transitioned her to the crib at about 5
months. She is still a dreamy
sleeper. Thank GOODNESS! The Co-sleeper also makes a great
pack-n-play which we have used often.
We still use it when we have visitors (because they stay in the guest
room where her crib is) or when we go stay overnight with people who don’t have
a crib or pack-n-play for her to use.
It’s easy to assemble…not so easy for me to break down…but the positives
drastically overwhelm the breaking down challenges. If you are thinking of co-sleeping, I encourage you to get a
co-sleeper. Some people are comfortable
sleeping with a baby in their bed but personally, I was downright nervous or
shall we say petrified that one of us or the pillows/blankets would
accidentally hurt them.