Arm's reach co-sleeper question

[matty02]

I just set up a co-sleeper that a friend gave me and the mattress doesn't seem right. It is a thin little plastic thing that is smaller than the co-sleeper itself. I think it is the mini one because the whole co-sleeper is small. I am already 36 weeks so I need to know if I need to order a different mattress soon. I really don't want to spend a bunch of money on a mattress though. Anyone use a co-sleeper and can you describe the mattress? 

[matty02]

Just called my friend that gave me the co-sleeper. What probably happened was that his wife used it as a changing table for a while so the mattress in there is a changing pad. Makes more sense! He is looking for the mattress but if he can't find one has anyone ordered one? I have seen some online but they are expensive!

[diana_of_the_dunes]

I also have a hand-me-down mini co-sleeper.  The mattress is indeed identical to the plastic-coated foamy pad that is on our changing table.  Never really realized it, but yeah, it is.  It's about 1.5" smaller than the co-sleeper if I push it to one end.  My DS slept on it for his first 4 months and never seemed uncomfortable.  Babies obviously shouldn't sleep on soft, plush surfaces on which they could accidentally suffocate, so I didn't really think twice about the thin mattress.

I later bought a full-size co-sleeper, and that mattress is a little more padded, but still not plush.  It additionally has a hard backing, probably some kind of fiberboard.  

Hope this helps!

[matty02]

It looks small enough that I could fit it in a pillow case. Is this right? There isn't a sheet with it and I am afraid if I order a sheet it will be too big. 

[diana_of_the_dunes]

A pillow case would almost fit over mine, but I think I have short pillowcases because they don't have much overhang on our pillows!  If I put one on it, it would just barely reach the ends of the mattress.  I found that cradle size sheets from Babies R Us worked well and cost WAY less than the Arms Reach sheets.  

[Jaimee]

I wouldn't worry either and you can purchase generic bassinet sheets to put over it.  They will be a bit big, but you could use the excess to shove into the cracks around the smaller mattress.  I would not purchase a mattress b/c your baby may not even like the co-sleeper as mine did not and end up in your bed anyway.   

[matty02]

If It was just me I would have baby in the bed with me like my last two. This is my second marriage and DH is less comfortable with the baby in the bed. I thought the co-sleeper might be a god compromise since it was free. I also was given a pack n' play with a bassinet setting I could use. 

Is the mattress on the co-sleeper supposed to be an inch smaller on all sides? That's what makes me think it is not the original one but a changing mat. 

[matty02]

Just called Arm's reach and it is not the right mattress. They said it should fold up and the one I have doesn't. I thought it was a changing pad.

[Jaimee]

The co-sleeper mattress has writing on it (warnings and such) and folds in three places so that it forms a square cylinder with velcro straps that the rest of the folded up co-sleeper fits into when storing it in the carrying case.

ETA: oh, I see you just called them!

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Originally Posted by matty02 

Just called Arm's reach and it is not the right mattress. They said it should fold up and the one I have doesn't. I thought it was a changing pad.

I have a mini, but it's the clear-view one, not the regular.  Mine has a tubular metal frame that doesn't fold.  The mattress is exactly like a changing pad.  I forgot that they make minis that fold up like the standard size.  Sorry for confusing you more!!