Bedsharing when mattress is not on floor--is baby safer toward the wall or on the open side of bed?

[Swisszebra]

Hello,

I am due in three weeks with my first baby and my husband and I have decided to bedshare but are not sure where the best position for the baby is. We have a large bed that is made up of two twin-size mattresses that sit in one frame (no headboard or footboard) and don't plan to remove the frame to put the mattresses on the floor. The only space for the bed is in the corner so that one side is against a wall and the head side of the bed is against another wall. There is a decent size crack between the mattresses, so I don't think between us would be a safe spot for baby, so where is safest: to have the baby on the wall side next to me with husband on my other side, or to have husband against wall, then me, then baby on exposed side? The bed is large so the baby could nearly have its own mattress. Basically, what is comes down to is what is more dangerous: the baby falling in the crack between the bed frame/mattress/wall, or rolling off the bed?

Thanks for any advice from veteran bedsharers!

[LittleBirdy]

IMHO, first and foremost, I would keep the baby absolutely positively away from the crack between the mattresses.  In fact, just to be on the safe side, stuff some towels or a blanket down there and just make very very sure there is no way the baby could get in that crack. (It sounds like you know this already but just in case I can't help but mention it.)

After that, I personally would put the baby on the opposite edge from the wall.  There is less of a chance of a newborn baby rolling off the bed (unless you've literally got them perched right on the edge) than there is of the baby getting smooshed between you and the wall.  You will likely find that starting out the baby will sleep in the crook of your arm anyway, so unless you give birth to Super Baby I doubt he/she would be able to roll out of your arm and onto the floor.

Also, a roll onto the floor *usually* doesn't result in a serious or lifethreatening injury... suffocation in a crack or crevice though... that's another story.

[Mama4life14]

I've been bedsharing ever since my 15 month old son was born! And me and my husband just love it, so great job on the decision! You won't regret it :)

As for where to put your baby, I would recommend purchasing (if it's in your budget) a bedside safety rail. They can be expensive but you can find some that are inexpensive too! A few days after our son was born he almost fell off the bed because my husband wasn't used to having him in bed (not to mention we were exhausted from the previous nights) My son was far from the edge but my husband kept moving in his sleep towards the edge, pushing my son towards the edge too. My husband woke up just in time and caught him, lesson learnt!! And from then on, our son was always in the middle until we got our bedside rail. Then I put him on the edge where the rail is, and just switch him to whichever side I was breastfeeding on.

Not sure if you'll have that issue at all, but better safe than sorry!!

[oregonianmama]

I found a bedrail on craigslist for about $10. It is worth it to not be worrying all night. Congratulations!