In-Bed CoSleeper Device

Updated on February 17, 2012
A.F. asks from Richmond, TX
5 answers

Anyone used one of those in-bed cosleeping things or know anyone who has? Summer Infant has one, there are a few others out on the market.

I coslept with my daughter - out of necessity, not original desire, and it worked out fine. This go-round I'm interested in keeping the baby close like I did with my daughter (with a c-section, it was just so much easier to have her right there next to me to breastfeed), but I want to do it as safely as possible.

I'm familiar with the Arm's Reach co-sleeper, but I'm more interested in feedback/opinions on the in-bed sleepers.

For those that used them, which one did you use? What size bed did you have and how much room did it leave you and your SO? Did you have a natural birth or c-section and how easy/difficult was it to get the baby in and out of the device with as little disturbance to you and your SO as possible?

Also, I saw a recommendation in a review on amazon to use a cradle-shaped changing pad instead. Seemed to make sense, but the fact that most are not made of breathable material bothered me, and the one I have I would think would take up too much room even in a king-size bed. ANyone done this? How did it work?

Added: PLEASE don't turn this into a cosleeping/vs. not debate. It worked for me and my daughter, and as I said, it wasn't a first choice, but truly one that was necessary at the time. Thanks for sticking to the question and not creating a debate!
Thanks!

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

They also make on the go beds for baby when you go to grandma's. I'm not sure the brand I think it may be summer infant actually, but I like it well enough. Co-sleeping is NOT for me, co-sleeper or not, I wake every time the baby inhales, so I didn't get much use from mine. it fit well in my king bed, has a little light which was helpful at 2am, because it has sides you have to pick baby up rather than just roll baby back to their space like you would do with the arm's reach sleepers. i found it best to not share a blanket with DH, just in case it came up over the co-sleeper. I would have been happy to keep using it and to use it with the new baby as well if I would get any sleep.

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I used one, can't remember the brand. It was about 5 years ago, it was basically just like a little partial box with the cushion for sleeping. It worked pretty well and was really nice, but I ended up not using it for very long b/c it seemed kind of bulky. I had a natural birth, (with vacuum delivery, ouch!), but I also had extremely severe carpal tunnel from the swelling, so I had a hard time lifting my baby in and out of the sleeper. I just regular coslept, then put the baby in the bassinet when I needed space.

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

I just bought one so I'll be paying attention to this also.

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J.S.

answers from Austin on

I co-slept with my first until she was two. I tried using one a couple of the in-bed sleepers thinking it would be safer but honestly they were quite bulky and my daughter liked to sleep on me most of the time.

With my second one I ended up getting the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper. It was awesome! I used it for her first 6 months and now she and I co-sleep. Since I knew I was going to be more tired this time around (having two will do that I think), I didn't want to take a chance that I wouldn't be as sensitive to her movements when sleeping as I was with her sister. Now I can't get her off me =)

Frankly I love co-sleeping. I never planned on it but after waking up every 3-4 hours every night - I found it was much less tiring to just latch her on and go back to sleep.

Also, I did think about using the changing pad as my first loved to take naps on it in on the floor - but again - very bulky for bed use.

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I have one. I can't remember the company that makes it, but I know it is the one w/ the Harvey Karp stamp of approval.
I've got to be honest w/ you...I say it lasted no more than a week in our bed w/ each baby (2).
My 1st would not even lay in it. I kept it in the bed to serve as a protective barrier between DH and baby. Since we were new to everything.

My 2nd was a much better sleeper. And I wrapped the little hard plastic mattress to make it more comfy and less noisy (the one I have has a cheap plastic wrapped 1" thick little mattress).
Even though he would sleep in it-I found it annoying-trying to get him in and out of it to nurse. :(

Both my births were natural.

What I did the 2nd time around that I did not do the first, was to have baby sleep in the crook of my arm. He was very secure there.

I'd imagine that the changing pad might work just fine (provided you can find one made of organic materials). I don't think it would be any/much wider than the thing we have.

We have a king sized bed...but I like my space!

I'm sorry if this is not very helpful.
In hindsight I have always felt I wasted my money on it.
I doubt I will get it out when #3 arrives.
But if it makes you feel better then I suppose it's worth it.
Feel free to pm me w/ any Q's. :)

ETA: Oh yes! Seperate blankets for you and DH is a must! :)

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