Cradle? Or other woodworking? (Cross-posted)

[Hykue]

I'm going to cross-post this in both my DDCs and in Ages and Stages, I think.  I hope that's okay, I want the maximum amount of opinions!

My dad, who is quite a fine carpenter, has offered to make us a cradle out of either walnut or cherry (sustainably harvested from their property).  We're almost certainly going to co-sleep, but we've discussed having a swing for use during short daytime breaks, like when I need to shower and my husband is away, or bathroom breaks, or if we have a baby who doesn't want to be held all the time (I think those might exist?). 

If we don't want a cradle, he will make us something else instead.  I'm pretty tempted to go ahead and get the cradle (especially because it's gorgeous) but I do want it to be practical as well.  Has anyone else used a cradle?  Would the fact that it will eventually stop swinging make it less useful?  Does babywearing make it less useful?

It would look like this one, except darker wood:

What does everyone think?  Would you get this or ask for something else (he hasn't even bought the plans yet)?  He made a lovely crib for my sister when she had my niece, but she didn't end up using it a whole lot because co-sleeping worked so much better for them.  If you would ask for something else baby-related that a woodworker could make (and transport from Arkansas to Canada somehow), what would it be?

[LittleBirdy]

Here's my two cents.  I see that picture and I think wow, that is a gorgeous cradle!  And then my second thought is, DS would not really have tolerated that.  He hated lying flat on his back, so when he got to the age where he would consent to being set down for more than my 60 second mad dash to the bathroom to pee (around 5 or 6 weeks), he was much happier in the bouncy seat.  So if you're thinking you're going to co-sleep but this might be nice to have as a place to set baby when you need to shower or something, this might not be the best bet.  (What I also liked about the bouncy seat is it was very easy to bring into the bathroom; I couldn't shower without being able to have an eye on DS and I've heard I'm not the only one!)

But of course every baby is different... just my experience.

So if it is important to you to get some use out of whatever he builds, what about a high chair?  Wooden high chairs are beautiful and you would definitely get use out of that.  Your LO won't be able to sit in it until probably 5 or 6 months but then you'll get use out of it for quite some time.  DS loves to sit in his and bang the tray or play with toys while I do stuff in the kitchen.

[woodchick]

The cradle is gorgeous!  We had a similar, but smaller, one that I got on freecycle. It didn't fit in our tiny bedroom/house very well and DD2 didn't like sleeping in it either.

If my dad was offering some woodworking skills I might ask for a child sized rocking char or a small table and chairs.  I'd think that they'd get more use for longer and could still be handed down to the next generation.