Another Floor Bed Question

[chekhovgirl]

So, I have asked for advice about floor beds in the past, but now I'm actually expecting a little one so I have more questions!

For those of you who used it or have knowledge about the topic, did/do you use it from birth? I've read that it's suggested to have them in the floor bed once they can move around and explore their own environment.

Next question which I know will not yield a finite answer: My MIL desperately wants to buy us a huge nice crib. Not only do I not have space for it, but I may not be using it! I want to use a floor bed from the beginning, but am thinking about "compromising" by using a portable crib for the early months in the nursery (which is VERY small). However, baby will be with us in our room for a while, so I don't know if it will even get used?! Argh. Trying not to be pushed around by other people, but they INSIST that we'll want a crib. I try to explain, but they don't actually hear what I'm saying. Thank god for my mom.

Any suggestions?

[Lillianna]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

I was in a similar situation but with my mom because she wanted me to use the crib that she had used for me and all my sibs (7). Well we set it up, not intending to use it much but ended up using it for a while for putting baby in a safe place away from cats during showers, etc. We didn't really need it. She did sleep on a small mattress on the floor from about 6 mths. on. Before that she was mostly in bed with us. I did use a bassinet next to the bed when she was really tiny.

It is tricky to work around these issues with the inlaws. Maybe you can show them an article that explains the floor bed. (Michael Olaf?) I am trying to remember the reference for MM...I will post again if I think of it. Good luck.

[Drummer's Wife]

I had something similar happen with my first. Some close family friends insisted on giving me their children's crib. All 3 of them had slept in it and they were so excited about it and it was very touching. DD was already here (about 2 months I believe) and I had set up a crib mattress on her floor. Well I couldn't say no and when they came over to deliver it they insisted on setting up. They were too cute and enjoyed this part saying remember the last 3 times we did this, now we are passing it on to someone special. Well despite my beliefs I kinda liked how it looked. Cage like and all And we kept it up. DD slept for a while in our room in a wooden cradle my grandpa made for her. He too was really excited and I was touched he made something so special for his great-grandchild.

I also had a moses basket that dd used and many times she was asleep in the basket in the cradle. It was easier than having to get out of bed and reach down no the floor to get her out of the basket. Later on she did sleep in her crib at times and I did like the fact that it kept her away from our crazy dog. But it was definitely not necessary and she started walking at 8 1/2 months and we quickly took the crib down and bought a wooden toddler bed.

But good luck explaining it, everyone thought I was crazy for not wanting a crib, But I still believe that babies are better off starting in a small cozy basket, then a floor bed or just co-sleeping with mom and dad. A crib or other similar container is not ideal IMO.

[numom499]

is this in the wrong forum? Or is floorbed something they do in montessorri?

[Drummer's Wife]

oh and not necessary but have you seen the wooden floor bed frame that michael olaf sells? I think they make the room look nicer but are expensive. Still less money than most cribs and I would have bought one for my first baby over a crib any day if I could have justified the cost. If someone is offering to buy you a crib maybe tell them you'd prefer something like this.

And what we started with was a crib sized futon mattress. Some Montessori stores sell them and they are a great alternative to a plastic tradition crib mattress.

[chekhovgirl]

The floor bed is recommended by Montessori for use with infants rather than cribs.

[chekhovgirl]

I've tried to steer them toward the floor bed, but DH has been communicating with them and I'm not sure if he's shared that yet. But then I wondered if I actually wanted a frame or not. Either

a. A frame will keep the mattress in place and not slide around, therefore not letting the baby get trapped between the mattress and the wall- we will have to have at least one side up against a wall.

or

b. It is more of a hazard if the child gets out of bed by him/herself and trips, hits their head on the corner of the floor bed or something.

Does that make sense?

[Ursula Rose]

we have 4 inch futon on the floor with no frame. we expect that a fall, if any, on a rug will do no harm.for more info on floor beds and infant environments, read montessori from the start. michael olaf catalog is good too.

[alegna]

We just made a little pad on the floor for dd with blankets when she was a little babe. She would use that for naps. She has always slept with us at night.

-Angela