bassinet? cradle? Need some advice!

[tngirl11]

Hi everyone!
I'm pg with my fourth child and need something for the baby to sleep in in my bedroom for the first couple of months. Although I've certainly fallen asleep many times while bfing my babies in bed, I'm not really comfortable with totally co-sleeping because of the bed frame that we have, the dog that sleeps with us, and the fact that my older children often climb into our bed in the mornings, so I definitely need some separate space for the baby.
My twins shared a pack-n-play before they moved into their cribs. My younger DS slept in this little bouncy/bassinet thing that I really didn't like and have since gotten rid of.
I don't have much money to spend, and I have recently been convinced of the importance of organic mattresses/bedding for babies, so I just don't know what to get.
I've looked at some bassinets, including one "organic" one that appears to be made out of very inorganic plastic. I've seen a few cute wooden ones, but none of the cloth parts are organic. A cradle might be an option, but I'm wondering how sturdy they are. I have a pretty rambunctious four-year-old son who is probably going to be leaning into the bed a lot to get close to the baby, and I don't want him to be able to tip the baby out!
So should I get a wooden bassinet and a separate organic mattress/bedding? I'm just not sure!
Thanks for any opinions/advice you can give me!

[thefreckledmama]

I'm getting a pack n' play, with the higher bassinet insert thing to use when I need to lay the baby in a "safe" place alone. You could see if anyone makes organic mattresses/sheets for a pack n' play, then you would get a lot longer use out of it. Bassinets are only safe until the baby can roll over, and I'm big into getting a lot of use out of things, but that's me. Ooh! I just remembered...Babies R Us has an organic pack and play... http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...uct_skn=370830

Another option would be a Moses basket-you know, the wicker like baskets that come with or without a canopy. The only problem I see with these is having somewhere to put them, as they generally don't go on a stand.

Pottery Barn also has a nice bassinet, and I believe they have organic bedding available.

[Bethla]

I really like the arms reach co-sleeper. I found one at a consignment shop for $75 dollars (not sure what your budget is). I think they sell for about $150 new.

[tngirl11]

Hmmm, I'll check out the organic pack-n-play. Maybe I could sell the one I have. I used to have an arm's reach co-sleeper when I had my twins but never used it much (long story, but we had to go live at my parents' house for awhile because of some slow remodeling). I was thinking that would be too expensive, but maybe I could find a used one. Thanks for the ideas.

[Eaglevoice]

Can you sidecar the crib to your bed? That way you can have the baby right there with all the organic bedding and the organic crib mattress and just have the crib attached right to your bed? Then you don't have to worry about buying anything else, since you probably already have a crib for the baby.

FWIW, if it were me...I'd kick the dog out of the bed and make sure the older kids know the rules about where they can climb in bed, and just co-sleep with the babe

[MamaMonica]

Moved to LWAB.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

We were lent a cradle for DD and I had it next to the bed. It was very pretty, and quite organic (homemade wood - although I'm sure the mattress wasn't anything organic).

In the end, the rocking just made DD roll into the sides, and I ended up locking the rock mechanism. This time, I'm just going for the packnplay, which is easier to get DD in and out of - plus bonus storage for blankets etc underneath...

[Comtessa]

Originally Posted by Perdita_in_Ontario

In the end, the rocking just made DD roll into the sides, and I ended up locking the rock mechanism.

I loved the cradle - so pretty! - but the same thing happened to me. Maybe when the LO is VERY tiny... but it's only a couple of months' worth of sleeping space, at best.

I've seen stands for Moses baskets. Don't know if I'd trust them to be sturdy enough for rambunctious elder siblings to be climbing on, though.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Eaglevoice

Can you sidecar the crib to your bed? That way you can have the baby right there with all the organic bedding and the organic crib mattress and just have the crib attached right to your bed? Then you don't have to worry about buying anything else, since you probably already have a crib for the baby.

FWIW, if it were me...I'd kick the dog out of the bed and make sure the older kids know the rules about where they can climb in bed, and just co-sleep with the babe

[texmati]

We had a snuggle nest that we used until we were more comfortable with him sleeping on the bed itself.

[Siennaflower]

We've used a bassinet pulled up next to the bed for both our dd's and loved it. I would definitely go that route again if we had another baby.