Co-sleepers, bassinets, and in bed sleepers oh my!

I decided to review products that I used to help our family co-sleep. My first post on this blog clearly shows that I am an advocate for co-sleeping. This post is going to review the products that we used to help us co-sleep efficiently. The first product we decided to use was a stand alone bassinet the Graco Pack n Play. It also converted into a play yard as well.



Logan using the pack n play.

We actually bought a used one from one of my co-workers. I wanted to save money and I wasn't sure how often we would be using it. We placed it into the corner of our bedroom because it was huge and we didn't want it to obstruct our walkways.

It worked fine, but for breast feeding purposes it kept us more awake. Since I had a c-section Tim decided he would be nice and get Logan for me. Tim is a deep sleeper so I would have to wake him up to get Logan. He would get Logan, bring him into the bed, then I would re-wake him to put Logan back in the sleeper. It was hard for me to get in and out of the bed because of the c-section scar healing. It took me a really long time to walk normally without pain. Getting up and out of bed comfortably took a very long time.

If you decide to breast feed, the baby does usually need to be fed every two hours. Formula fed babies sleep a little bit longer...usually. Tim was trying to be a good husband and father by helping me get Logan. I also had post partum depression. One of my symptoms was constant fear that the baby would die in his sleep. I would wake Tim up to go check on Logan because I was afraid to find him dead. That would happen every 20 minutes. So clearly this effected mine and Tim's sleeping pattern. This only lasted two weeks.

When we talked to Logan's pediatrician he recommended putting Logan in our bed. I was too afraid because I know that Tim is heavy sleeper. I had images of him crushing Logan in our sleep. I tried to think of a happy medium. I found the arms reach co-sleeper and I thought this would work!!


Packed up and ready to go

We bought the mini and tried to set it up. Our previous bed was too short to line up with the co-sleeper. We decided to return the arms reach co-sleeper to Babies R Us. While walking around Babies R Us, I happened upon this snuggle nest. I thought that maybe this would work. It had sides around it so I knew that Tim wouldn't crush our baby. It also would block pillows that might suffocate Logan and it wasn't overly priced.
We used this for about 6 months. I liked it because I could take it to different places and it was a nice safe space for Logan to sleep. I was never a fan of placing a baby on a  regular bed with pillows as a buffer.  The snuggle nest eased my fears, when I took him places during his nap time. I knew that Tim couldn't roll over into it because the sides are hard plastic so he would feel it and not roll into it.



Snuggle Nest

The negative aspect of this snuggle nest is the breast feeding part. In order to feed Logan I would have to pick him up and place him next to me. I couldn't just roll over and pop the boob in. Afterwards, I would have to place him back into it when he was done eating. This cut into my sleeping time because I would have to stay awake and alert during the feeding. However, this helped Tim's sleeping time. I never had to wake up him to get Logan or to check on him. I could check on him myself.

Tim was extremely well rested even with a newborn in our room.  I always woke up about 5 minutes before Logan would. This prevented him from waking up crying because I would already have the boob ready for him. This is a normal phenomenon that occurs when you sleep in the same room as your baby since birth. Your internal clock syncs with the baby's internal clock so that you wake up prior to the baby waking up. Tim could sleep a full 8 hours without a crying baby or having to wake up and check on the baby. He had it easy compared to most new parents lol.



The co-sleeper being used already!

Finally when Logan was about 6 months I just let him sleep in the bed. I could roll over, feed him, fall asleep, and wait for the next time. I know all the research and expert opinions about co-sleeping dangers. So I don't care what your criticisms may be. Logan is clearly alive and well, so co-sleeping didn't kill him.
Now the reason I'm using the arms reach mini sleeper for baby number 2 actually has to do with Logan. Sometimes in the middle of the night, Logan will wake up and come into our room. I'm afraid that he'll sleep on top of the baby. He might not see the baby or since he's only two years old he's not going to consciously know that you're not supposed to sleep on the baby.



It doesn't take up too much space

I bought this arms reach co-sleeper used. The previous owner had never used it and she discounted it nicely. It was in great condition when I received it, no stains and very sturdy. I decided to get the mini because I anticipate only using it till the baby is about 6 months. Logan is pretty much sleeping in his room and he'll most likely be in his own bed full time.

The co-sleeper only took 20 minutes to set up and attach to the bed. For some reason, the previous memory I have of the first co-sleeper was that it had a lot of pieces and looked like it would take forever to set up. This time around it was a cinch.

The only negative that I can see is that there is a dip from the height of our mattress to the baby's mattress. This means that I will have to pick up the baby to breast feed then put them back in the sleeper. Which is fine because, I think it will be better for me, rather than having to physically get up and get the baby. This co-sleeper can also be detached from the bed and used as a stand alone or a play yard. I think this co-sleeper provides many advantages for the price.

If you're looking for something cheap I recommend a snuggle nest type of product. The co-sleeper is great because it's pretty much three products in one. I think it can be economical especially if you plan on having more children. If you want to co-sleep and you're afraid of crushing the baby the Snuggle Nest or the Arms Reach are great products. I suggest trying out products, but check the return policies of the store. If you can try it and return it if it doesn't work, then that's fantastic! If you're not a fan of co-sleeping, but want a bassinet in the room the Graco pack n play or Arms Reach would work as well.

Good luck in finding a product that works for your family. You might find that putting a baby in a crib, in the other room works for your family and that's fine too! To each their own and whatever works for your family is what is best for you!