Humana Family Bed vs. Bed rail

[MadTown16]

I have been cosleeping with my one month old and need some advice.  Right now he's sleeping between my husband and me, but my husband and I really miss sleeping right next to each other.  I would like to be able to put baby in between me and the edge of the bed, but want to get some type of barrier so he doesn't fall off the bed.  We have a queen sized bed with a box spring and a tall bed frame.  Pushing the bed against the wall or taking the mattress off the frame are NOT options that will work in our situation.  

I'm considering something like the Humanity Family Sleeper (http://www.humanityorganics.com/humanity-family-sleeper.html) or an attachable mesh toddler rail like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Products-Safe-Sleeper-Rail-Ultra/dp/B0002VAF3Y/ref=pd_sbs_ba_5).  

Does anyone have experience with or opinions about the Humanity or other on-bed bolster style co sleepers?  

What about attachable bed rails?  Does anyone know of a good brand or style of rail that would work with my style of bed?

I really appreciate any advice or suggestions.  I love sleeping with my son, and really want to find a set up that will work for all 3 of us in the long run.  Thanks!

[sosurreal09]

I don't have any of those, but I will say I would worry about using a rail with an infant b/c theoretically the baby could get their head wedged between the rail and the mattress.

I think that co-sleeper Hummana thing looks cool but am thinking you could totally make you're own way cheaper and possibly make it breathable i case the baby pushes up against it (IDK if that on is breathable?)

[mkksmom]

I personally wouldn't be comfortable using either option. Like SoSurreal said, I'd worry about baby slipping between the rail and the mattress (although I used one when my dd was about 3-5 years old and just shoved some blankets in between. The roll thing is like a big bumper and I'd worry about SIDS with that thing. Neither will last very long once the LO really gets mobile.

[MadTown16]

Originally Posted by mkksmom 

I personally wouldn't be comfortable using either option. Like SoSurreal said, I'd worry about baby slipping between the rail and the mattress (although I used one when my dd was about 3-5 years old and just shoved some blankets in between. The roll thing is like a big bumper and I'd worry about SIDS with that thing. Neither will last very long once the LO really gets mobile.

Do you have any recommendations so I can safely put LO between me and the edge of the bed?

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

I don't have any of those, but I will say I would worry about using a rail with an infant b/c theoretically the baby could get their head wedged between the rail and the mattress.

I agree, that's why I'm hesitant to try a rail unless I can find someone who can recommend a specific one that will actually work safely.  

[HappyWoman]

We have a Humanity Family Bed and we LOVE it. Our DS is 6months old and we've been using the HFB bolster since the beginning. My husband and I love to cuddle, and I really like having the baby next to me.

My experience is that the Humanity Family Bed bolster is very safe. I trust it completely. The way it works is that it is the long bolster zips into the organic waterproof pad. (The pad is 100% cotton, so it is pretty comfortable.) You are lying on the pad, so the bolster won't go anywhere. Having a waterproof pad is nice too, because it absorbs leaks.

I wash and dry the waterproof pad along with the sheets.

I will say that the bolster does take up space, about 6 inches or so of the bed. We have a queen, so with the three of us plus the bolster, it's a pretty tight fit. It would be nice to have a king, and at some point we might upgrade. For now though, things are cozy. We wouldn't want to sleep any other way.

The HFB is a bit pricey, but I rationalized that other people spend a whole lot more for a crib, or a few nights in a hotel. We plan to co-sleep for several years, so it seemed like a good investment. Plus, you can always sell it on Craig's list or give it away to someone else who needs it, right?

Tip: I've found that it is possible to nurse from either breast while lying on my left side - I just roll a bit onto my stomach so that DS can feed from the "top" breast. This method makes it less disturbing for DH, and it also helps me stay half-way asleep.

[mum2sarah]

Wow, I just want to say thanks for the tip on the HFB!  I had never heard of it--my DDs have pretty much grown out of the family bed (though we maintain a Friday co-sleeping night tradition they still like to do), and it's been a long time since I've had to worry about them rolling out.  When they were little, we used a bedrail but it always made me a little nervous; I don't remember there being any other barrier options at the time, so maybe HFB is something relatively new?  In any case we have #3 on the way and I am now definitely going to want one of these!

Oh, and I'd like to echo what HappyWoman said: I, too, was able to nurse with both breasts laying on the same side.  Though I do have to warn you that it might depend on how well-endowed you are.  I have a friend who I gave that suggestion, and she tried it and said with her size there was no way she could get it to work (she's very very well-endowed).  But I think it would probably work for most women of average build; it just takes a little practice ;)

[Tres]

I have a bed rail made by safety first that sits ON top of the bed. You lose about 3-4 inches of bed space but there is no concern that the babe will end up between the rail and mattress.
BUT my DD is almost 8 months old and this bedrail is safe for rolling but she pulls up on it...in her sleep (dreams???) and the other night I caught her fast asleep just before she went head over the rail. I was against putting our bed on the floor too but since that incident I can't sleep without my hand on her. I think even with the bed on the floor I will feel uneasy.

[MadTown16]

Thanks for the great advice!  I think I'm going to get the HFB or a similar bolster style barrier and hope it works as well as it has fir happywoman.  
 

Originally Posted by HappyWoman 

Tip: I've found that it is possible to nurse from either breast while lying on my left side - I just roll a bit onto my stomach so that DS can feed from the "top" breast. This method makes it less disturbing for DH, and it also helps me stay half-way asleep.

Also...thank you so much for this advice!! I tried it last night and it worked wonderfully.  This is going to completely revolutionize the nighttime feedings :)  
 

[Ruby2]

We got this: http://www.gobedbug.com/ based on a recommendation that I found on mdc. Same idea as a bolster, but it goes under the sheet so there's no suffocation risk (theoretically). We're in the same situation as pp though, and it essentially turned our queen into a double...it's a tight squeeze, but safe. I dream of a king... This is off subject, but I've been thinking of building some sort of padded bench that we could slide up to one side of the bed at night to put our feet on so we could sleep sideways!

[dalia]

We have the humana bolster and it is awesome. Now that ds is a toddler, though, it doesn't really work anymore. I do still use the body pillow without the pad to put between ds and dh because if we wakes and sees dh he gets crazy excited and forget getting him back to sleep! I highly recommend it.

We also have a really high bed and it has always freaked me out that ds could fall off. I also recommend buying a video monitor for when you put dc to bed but aren't gonna stay there. It has saved our sanity! A bit of an investment, though..

[Chloe'sMama]

I use a couple of towels rolled up under the sheet.  It works for both girls (we are all snug in our bed!)  I wouldn't use it during the time when DD1 was learning to crawl etc.  But up to 6 months and after about 10 months it works great and it doesn't cost anything.

[katelove]

We use these and really like them. They fit tightly against the matress so no chance of baby getting wedged between mattress and rail. It means that I can change sides ( I can't feed from both breasts lying on the same side, my hip hurts if I lie on the same side all night and DH and I get to snuggle sometimes). It also means that the bed is "bigger" because we can sleep right up against the edge. I actually find it comfortable to lean against the rail to sleep and it stops my back support pillow falling out too.

They aren't so fall proof once the baby can scoot down beyond them but we didn't need to do anything else until she was about 7 months.  

 http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Fold-down-Double-Bedrail/dp/B001VYBK58

[laurabfig]

I have a tres tria bumper on my side of the bed and it works great.  not sure how it would be for an older infant...it is rubber latex, a bit heavy, fits under the fitted sheet and doesn't shift around much. anyway, we got it on craigslist for way cheaper than it is new.

[laurabfig]

Originally Posted by mum2sarah 

Oh, and I'd like to echo what HappyWoman said: I, too, was able to nurse with both breasts laying on the same side.  Though I do have to warn you that it might depend on how well-endowed you are.  I have a friend who I gave that suggestion, and she tried it and said with her size there was no way she could get it to work (she's very very well-endowed).  But I think it would probably work for most women of average build; it just takes a little practice ;)

This is interesting...I was thinking it might be impossible for me b/c I am rather small chested, but I guess the well-endowed would have issue with this too. :)

Still...I might try this tonight when he nurses.  My least favorite part of nursing in the middle of the night is getting up to go over him to switch to the other breast...:)
 

[OvenSeeksBun]

LOVE IT! So simple. I am going to try this tonighr!
 

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

I use a couple of towels rolled up under the sheet.  It works for both girls (we are all snug in our bed!)  I wouldn't use it during the time when DD1 was learning to crawl etc.  But up to 6 months and after about 10 months it works great and it doesn't cost anything.

[mum2sarah]

Originally Posted by laurabfig 

Originally Posted by mum2sarah 

Oh, and I'd like to echo what HappyWoman said: I, too, was able to nurse with both breasts laying on the same side.  Though I do have to warn you that it might depend on how well-endowed you are.  I have a friend who I gave that suggestion, and she tried it and said with her size there was no way she could get it to work (she's very very well-endowed).  But I think it would probably work for most women of average build; it just takes a little practice ;)

This is interesting...I was thinking it might be impossible for me b/c I am rather small chested, but I guess the well-endowed would have issue with this too. :)

Still...I might try this tonight when he nurses.  My least favorite part of nursing in the middle of the night is getting up to go over him to switch to the other breast...:)
 

Yeah, I'm an A cup and I could do it, so I think being larger is more problematic than being smaller, so I'd encourage you to give it try!